Determine the average weight of each isotope of the fictitious element vegium.
Determine the relative abundance of isotopes of vegium.
3. Calculate from experimental data the atomic mass of vegium.
Materials:.
A sample of vegium on a plastic cup small-scale balance.
Procedures:.
1. Weigh all the beans, all the peas, and all the corn.
2. count all the beans, all the peas, and all the corn.
3. Divide all the mass of each by the isotope (beans, peas, and corn) by the number of each isotope to get .
the average mass of each isotope.
4. Divide the number of each isotope by the total number of particles, and multiply by 100 to get the .
percent abundance of each isotope.
5. Divide the percent abundance from step 4 by 100 to get the relative abundance of each isotope.
6. Multiply the relative abundance from step 5 by the average mass of each isotope to get the relative .
weight of each isotope.
7. Add the relative weights to get the average mass of all particles in vegium, the "atomic mass." Note: .
When you weigh the various types of vegetables, you may encounter some problems. For example, the .
sample of beans might be too large to weigh on your balance. You might solve this problem by making .
more weights or by using a larger counterweight on your balance. This approach increases your balance's .
capacity. Keep in mind that it also results in a heavier beam, which reduces the sensitivity of your balance. .
Alternatively, you might weigh a portion of your vegetables, say half, and then multiply your result by two .
(or a fifth and multiply by five). The beans are various in sizes, so if you weigh just one bean, and .
multiply by the number of beans to get the total weight of beans, a significant error might result. Weigh a .
large enough sample so you get a good estimation of the average weight of a bean.
Data:.
Beans Peas Corn Total.
Mass of each isotope 19.2g 15.2g 36.1g 70.5g.
Number of each isotope 68 186 216 470.
Average mass of each .