Q.

Chlorine atoms have 2 isotopes: Cl−35 and Cl−37.Which isotopes is most abundant?

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a

Cl -35

b

Cl -37

c

both are equally abundant

d

There is not enough information to answer this questions

answer is A.

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Detailed Solution

The average atomic mass of chlorine is 35.5 amu. 

Chlorine consists of two isotopes :Cl35and Cl37 .

It's average mass depends on the relative abundance of the two isotopes.

Let x be the relative abundance of Cl35 then (1-x) is the relative abundance of Cl37 .

Average atomic mass =X(35)+(1-X)37/X+(1-X)

35.5=35x+37−37x

1.5=2x

x=0.75

This implies that out of every four atoms of chlorine, there are 3 atoms of Cl-35 and 1 atom of Cl-37. Hence, Cl-35 is more abundant than Cl-37.


 

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