A SAMPLE OF ANTIMONY, Ar=121.8, WAS ANALYSED AND WAS FOUND TO CONSIST OF 60% OF 121Sb AND ONE OTHER ISOTOPE. DETERMINE THE MASS NUMBER OF THE OTHER ISOTOPE IN THE SAMPLE OF ANTIMONY.
Someone said:
assume you have 100 grams. It becomes the overused algebra candy mixture problem.
60*121+40*X=121.8*100
solve for x
Im really confused on:
-what the algebra candy mixture problem is and how it links to this
-why 121 was used and not 121.8
-What equation was used and must always be used for these sorts of questions
-What does x stand for
please help and explain clearly im stuck
You need a in person tutor. Seriously, you are taking chemistry with not even close to having the math background needed. I recommend you discuss this with your parent.
this is standard fare in any AlgebraI class: https://www.montereyinstitute.org/courses/Algebra1/COURSE_TEXT_RESOURCE/U06_L2_T2_text_final.html
Please still answer my question
I'd be happy to explain the steps to solve this problem:
1. To understand the "algebra candy mixture problem" reference, it helps to think of it as a way to represent a mixture of two different components. We often use candy or other substances to visualize the concept. In this case, we have a sample of antimony consisting of two isotopes.
2. The reason why 121 is used instead of 121.8 is because the percentage composition is given based on the number of atoms of each isotope, not their masses. The atomic mass of 121Sb is taken as 121, which represents 100% of the isotope.
3. The equation used in this problem is derived from the concept of average atomic mass. The equation states that the average atomic mass is equal to the sum of the masses of each isotope multiplied by their respective percentages in decimal form. It can be written as follows:
(mass of first isotope * % composition of first isotope) + (mass of second isotope * % composition of second isotope) = average atomic mass
4. In this case, we want to find the mass number (the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus) of the second isotope, which is represented by x. Since the mass of the first isotope (121Sb) is already known to be 121, we can plug in the values into the equation as follows:
(121 * 0.60) + (x * 0.40) = 121.8
5. By solving the equation for x, you can find the mass number of the second isotope. Rearrange the equation to isolate x:
(121 * 0.60) + (x * 0.40) = 121.8
72.6 + 0.40x = 121.8
0.40x = 121.8 - 72.6
0.40x = 49.2
x = 49.2 / 0.40
6. Evaluating the equation further, you can find the value of x:
x = 122
Therefore, the mass number of the other isotope in the sample of antimony is 122.