Calcium has three different isotopes. One has a mass of 35.00 amu; another has a mass of 41.00 amu; and another has a mass of 40.00 amu. Which isotope is the most abundant of the three?

1 Answer
anor277
Dec 14, 2015

The quoted atomic mass on the Periodic Table is the weighted average of the individual isotopes. The most abundant isotope should be #""^40Ca#.

Explanation:

It follows that whatever atomic mass is quoted on the Periodic Table, the most abundant isoptope of that element must make the greatest statistical contribution. Calcium has an atomic mass of #40.07# #g*ml^-1#. Without looking up the isotopic distribution, clearly #""^40Ca# is the most abundant isotope.

[Look here for actual data on isotopic distribution of the element.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isotopes_of_calcium)

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