Predict which isotope of nitrogen is more commonly found, nitrogen-14 or nitrogen-15.(Hint: What is the average atomic mass listed for nitrogen in the periodic table?)
The average atomic mass listed for nitrogen in the periodic table is 14.01 amu (atomic mass units). Since nitrogen-14 has a lower atomic mass than nitrogen-15, it is more commonly found in nature. Therefore, nitrogen-14 is the more common isotope of nitrogen.
To predict the more commonly found isotope of nitrogen, we can begin by looking at the information provided on the periodic table. The atomic mass listed for nitrogen is approximately 14.01 atomic mass units (amu).
The atomic mass of an element represents the weighted average of the masses of its naturally occurring isotopes, taking into account their abundance. In simpler terms, it indicates the average mass of all the isotopes of an element found on Earth.
Knowing this, we can make an educated assumption based on the average atomic mass. Nitrogen-14 has an atomic mass of exactly 14 amu, which aligns closely with the average atomic mass indicated on the periodic table. On the other hand, nitrogen-15 has an atomic mass of 15 amu.
Since the atomic mass listed on the periodic table is closer to nitrogen-14, it suggests that nitrogen-14 is more abundant or commonly found in nature than nitrogen-15.
Therefore, based on the given hint and the average atomic mass listed for nitrogen in the periodic table, we can predict that nitrogen-14 is the more commonly found isotope of nitrogen.