How do you calculate the relative atomic mass of an element

The relative atomic mass (Ar ) is calculated from 2 things : mass numbers of its isotopes and abundance of these isotopes.Let's use Chlorine as an example. Chlorine naturally exists as two isotopes,  (chlorine-35) and  (chlorine-37). The abundance of chlorine-35 is 75% and the abundance of chlorine-37 is 25%. I.e. in every 100 chlorine atoms, 75 atoms have a mass number of 35, and 25 atoms have a mass number of 37.Ar, = total mass of atoms / total number of atoms Ar = (35 x 75) + (37 x 25) /(75+25) Ar = 35.50Note the number is closer to 35 rather than 37 because the 35-isotope is more abundant.

PJ

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is an isotope?


What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonding?


Sodium and sodium chloride can both conduct of electricity under cetain conditions. Describe and explain the method of conduction for each species. (3)


What is the difference between a covalent and ionic bond?