Textbook Question
Indium consists of two isotopes, 11349In and 11549In. If the atomic mass for indium on the periodic table is 114.8, are there more atoms of 11349In or 11549In in a sample of indium?
Ch.4 Atoms and Elements
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 Chemistry in Our Lives19
- Ch.2 Chemistry and Measurements80
- Ch.3 Matter and Energy53
- Ch.4 Atoms and Elements58
- Ch.5 Nuclear Chemistry42
- Ch.6 Ionic and Molecular Compounds57
- Ch.7 Chemical Quantities and Reactions38
- Ch.8 Gases30
- Ch.9 Solutions50
- Ch.10 Acids and Bases and Equilibrium64
- Ch.11 Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Hydrocarbons77
- Ch.12 Alcohols, Thiols, Ethers, Aldehydes, and Ketones82
- Ch.13 Carbohydrates54
- Ch.14 Carboxylic Acids, Esters, Amines, and Amides91
- Ch.15 Lipids61
- Ch.16 Amino Acids, Proteins, and Enzymes84
- Ch.17 Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis86
- Ch.18 Metabolic Pathways and ATP Production73
Timberlake14th EditionChemistry: An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological ChemistryISBN: 9781292472249Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 4, Problem 39c
Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes, with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40.
c. How are they different?
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the concept of isotopes: Isotopes are atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron count results in different mass numbers for the isotopes.
Identify the isotopes of argon: The problem states that argon has three naturally occurring isotopes with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40. These mass numbers represent the sum of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of each isotope.
Determine the proton count: Argon is element number 18 on the periodic table, meaning all isotopes of argon have 18 protons. This is a defining characteristic of the element argon.
Calculate the neutron count for each isotope: Subtract the number of protons (18) from the mass number of each isotope to find the number of neutrons. For example, Argon-36 has 36 - 18 = 18 neutrons, Argon-38 has 38 - 18 = 20 neutrons, and Argon-40 has 40 - 18 = 22 neutrons.
Summarize the differences: The isotopes of argon differ in their number of neutrons, which leads to differences in their mass numbers. This variation does not affect their chemical properties significantly, as chemical behavior is primarily determined by the number of protons and electrons.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Isotopes
Isotopes are variants of a particular chemical element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. This difference in neutron count results in varying mass numbers, which can affect the stability and radioactive properties of the isotopes. For example, argon has isotopes with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40, indicating they each have 18 protons but differ in neutron count.
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Isotopes
Mass Number
The mass number of an isotope is the total count of protons and neutrons in its nucleus. It is a crucial identifier for isotopes, as it distinguishes them from one another. In the case of argon, the mass numbers 36, 38, and 40 indicate the total number of nucleons, which influences the isotope's physical and chemical properties.
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Stability of Isotopes
The stability of isotopes refers to whether an isotope is stable or radioactive. Stable isotopes do not undergo radioactive decay, while unstable isotopes do, leading to the emission of radiation. For argon, the isotopes with mass numbers 36 and 40 are stable, while argon-38 is less common and can be radioactive, affecting its applications in fields like radiometric dating and atmospheric studies.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question
Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes, with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40.
a. Write the atomic symbol for each of these atoms.
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Textbook Question
Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes, with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40.
d. Why is the atomic mass of argon listed on the periodic table not a whole number?
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Textbook Question
What is the group number and number of valence electrons for each of the following elements?
e. barium
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Textbook Question
Argon has three naturally occurring isotopes, with mass numbers 36, 38, and 40.
b. How are these isotopes alike?
Textbook Question
Write the atomic symbol for the isotope with each of the following characteristics:
c. 25 electrons and 28 neutrons
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