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Multiple Choice
Vanadium consists of two isotopes, 5023V and 5123V. If the atomic mass for copper on the periodic table is 50.942 amu, are there more atoms of 5023V and 5123V in a sample of vanadium?
A
B
C
They are equal.
D
Cannot be determined.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the isotopes of vanadium: 50^23V and 51^23V.
Understand that the atomic mass of vanadium on the periodic table is given as 50.942 amu.
Recognize that the atomic mass is a weighted average of the isotopes' masses based on their natural abundance.
Set up an equation to represent the weighted average: (mass of 50^23V * abundance of 50^23V) + (mass of 51^23V * abundance of 51^23V) = 50.942 amu.
Without specific abundance values, it is not possible to determine which isotope is more abundant, hence the number of atoms of each isotope cannot be determined from the given information.