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Percent Abundance Formula:
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The Percent Abundance Calculator calculates the percentage abundance of two carbon isotopes (C-12, C-13) based on their atomic masses and the average atomic mass. This is essential for understanding isotopic composition in chemistry.
The calculator uses the percent abundance formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the relative percentage of the first isotope based on the difference between average mass and the second isotope mass, normalized by the mass difference between the two isotopes.
Details: Calculating percent abundance is crucial for understanding isotopic composition, determining atomic weights, and various applications in chemistry, geology, and environmental science.
Tips: Enter average atomic mass in amu, mass of first isotope in amu, and mass of second isotope in amu. All values must be valid positive numbers, and Mass1 cannot equal Mass2.
Q1: What are the typical masses for carbon isotopes?
A: C-12 has a mass of 12.0000 amu, C-13 has a mass of 13.00335 amu, and the average atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.0107 amu.
Q2: Why is percent abundance important?
A: Percent abundance helps determine the average atomic mass of elements and is essential for mass spectrometry, radiometric dating, and understanding chemical properties.
Q3: Can this calculator be used for other elements?
A: Yes, the same formula applies to any element with two isotopes, though the mass values will differ.
Q4: What if Mass1 equals Mass2?
A: The calculation is undefined when Mass1 equals Mass2 because it would involve division by zero. The isotopes must have different masses.
Q5: How accurate are the results?
A: The results are mathematically precise based on the input values, but real-world accuracy depends on the precision of the mass measurements used.