Isotopic Abundance and Atomic Mass
The table provides isotopic data for selenium. Based on this information, the weighted average atomic mass of the element is approximately amu. Which of the following statements best explains this value?
Isotopic Data for Selenium
| Isotope | Mass (amu) | Abundance (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Se-78 | 78 | 10 |
| Se-80 | 80 | 70 |
| Se-82 | 82 | 20 |
Because the atomic masses span from to , the average atomic mass must be exactly the arithmetic mean of these values, namely amu.
Because each isotope contributes equally to the total mass regardless of abundance, the resulting average atomic mass is simply the median value, which does not align with amu.
Since the isotope with mass constitutes the majority of the sample, its high abundance drives the weighted average atomic mass to be close to amu.
The weighted average must be lower than amu due to the contribution of the lighter isotope, Se-78, despite its lower abundance.
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