There are two stable isotopes of chlorine: chlorine-35, with a mass of 34.968853

Question

There are two stable isotopes of chlorine: chlorine-35, with a mass of 34.968853 amu; and chlorine-37, with a mass of 36.965903. Given that the average atomic mass of a chlorine atom is 35.45 amu, which of the following statements is true?

A ) Chlorine contains almost exclusively of Cl-37, with very little Cl-35.

B) Chlorine contains more Cl-37 than Cl-35.

C) Chlorine contains more Cl-35 than Cl-37.

D)Chlorine contains almost exclusively of Cl-35 , with very little Cl-37.

E) Chlorine contains roughly equal amounts of Cl-35 and Cl-37.

Explanation / Answer

Answer: C) Chlorine contains more Cl-35 than Cl-37

Reason:

*If Chlorine contains equal amounts(50%:50%) of Cl-35 and Cl-37, then the average atomic mass would be (34.968853 + 36.965903) / 2 = 35.967378

* If Chlorine contains almost exclusively of Cl-37, with very little Cl-35, then the average atomic mass would be very close to 36.965903

*If Chlorine contains almost exclusively of Cl-35 , with very little Cl-37, then the average atomic mass would be very close to 34.968853

*If Chlorine contains more than 50 % Cl-37, then the average atomic mass would be greater than 35.967378

*If Chlorine contains more than 50 % Cl-35 then the average atomic mass would be less than 35.967378

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