Math

QuestionFind the abundance of 10 B{ }^{10} \mathrm{~B} and 11 B{ }^{11} \mathrm{~B} given their masses and average atomic mass of boron, 10.81 u10.81 \mathrm{~u}.

Studdy Solution

STEP 1

Assumptions1. There are two naturally occurring isotopes of boron 10 B{ }^{10} \mathrm{~B} with a mass of 10.0129 u10.0129 \mathrm{~u} and 11 B{ }^{11} \mathrm{~B} with a mass of 11.0093 u11.0093 \mathrm{~u}. . The average atomic mass of boron is 10.81 u10.81 \mathrm{~u}.
3. The sum of the abundances of the two isotopes is100%.

STEP 2

Let's denote the abundance of 10 B{ }^{10} \mathrm{~B} as xx and the abundance of 11 B{ }^{11} \mathrm{~B} as yy. Since the sum of the abundances is100%, we can write the following equationx+y=1x + y =1

STEP 3

The average atomic mass is calculated as the sum of the mass of each isotope times its relative abundance. We can write this asAverageatomicmass=xMass10+yMass11Average\, atomic\, mass = x \cdot Mass_{10} + y \cdot Mass_{11}

STEP 4

Substitute the given values into the equation from310.81=x10.0129+y11.009310.81 = x \cdot10.0129 + y \cdot11.0093

STEP 5

We now have a system of two equations\begin{align*} x + y &=1 \\ 10.81 &= x \cdot10.0129 + y \cdot11.0093\end{align*}

STEP 6

We can solve this system of equations by substitution. First, solve the first equation for yyy=1xy =1 - x

STEP 7

Substitute yy into the second equation10.81=x10.0129+(1x)11.009310.81 = x \cdot10.0129 + (1 - x) \cdot11.0093

STEP 8

implify the equation10.81=10.012x+11.009311.0093x10.81 =10.012x +11.0093 -11.0093x

STEP 9

Rearrange the equation to solve for xxx=.8111.0093.012911.0093x = \frac{.81 -11.0093}{.0129 -11.0093}

STEP 10

Calculate the value of xxx=10.81.009310.0129.00930.199x = \frac{10.81 -.0093}{10.0129 -.0093} \approx0.199

STEP 11

Substitute xx into the first equation to find yyy=x=0.199=0.801y = - x = -0.199 =0.801The abundance of 10 B{ }^{10} \mathrm{~B} is approximately19.9% and the abundance of 11 B{ }^{11} \mathrm{~B} is approximately80.%.

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