Question

conclusion: using the mass numbers you determined in your analysis of candium, explain why your determined atomic mass makes sense. additionally, use your percent abundance to further support why your determined atomic mass makes sense.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall atomic mass formula

The atomic mass ($A$) of an element is calculated as $A=\sum_{i = 1}^{n}m_i\times p_i$, where $m_i$ is the mass - number of the isotope and $p_i$ is the percent abundance of the isotope (expressed as a decimal).

Step2: Analyze mass - number contribution

The mass - numbers of the isotopes give the mass of each individual isotope relative to carbon - 12. A more abundant isotope will have a greater influence on the overall atomic mass. For example, if an isotope has a high mass - number and a high percent abundance, it will pull the atomic mass towards its own mass - number value.

Step3: Consider percent abundance

The percent abundance determines the weight of each isotope in the calculation of the atomic mass. If an isotope has a very low percent abundance, its contribution to the overall atomic mass is small, even if its mass - number is relatively large.

Answer:

The determined atomic mass makes sense because it is a weighted average of the mass - numbers of the isotopes, with the weights being the percent abundances of the isotopes. Isotopes with higher percent abundances have a greater impact on the calculated atomic mass, and this reflects their relative prevalence in nature.