Question

isotope6. element copper has two major isotopes, cu - 63 and cu - 65. the atomic mass of copper is 63.55 amu. select all the correct statement(s). cu - 63 is more naturally abundant than cu - 65. cu - 63 has fewer protons than cu - 65. cu - 63 has a lower atomic number than cu - 65. cu - 63 has fewer neutrons than cu - 65. cu - 63 is heavier than cu - 65.

Explanation:

Step1: Understand isotopes concept

Isotopes of an element have same atomic number (same number of protons). So Cu - 63 and Cu - 65 have the same number of protons and same atomic number.

Step2: Analyze neutron number

Neutron number = Mass number - Atomic number. For Cu - 63, neutron number is \(63 - 29=34\) (copper's atomic number is 29), for Cu - 65, neutron number is \(65 - 29 = 36\). So Cu - 63 has fewer neutrons.

Step3: Analyze natural abundance

The atomic mass of copper is 63.55 amu which is closer to 63 than 65. This implies that the isotope with mass number 63 (Cu - 63) is more naturally abundant.

Step4: Analyze mass comparison

By definition, Cu - 65 has a mass number of 65 and Cu - 63 has a mass number of 63, so Cu - 65 is heavier than Cu - 63.

Answer:

• Cu - 63 is more naturally abundant than Cu - 65.
• Cu - 63 has fewer neutrons than Cu - 65.