College

A robot spacecraft returned samples from the planetesimal 98765 ALEKS, located in the outer Solar System. Mass-spectroscopic analysis produced the following data on the isotopes of molybdenum in these samples:

[tex]\[

\begin{tabular}{|c|c|c|}

\hline

Isotope & \begin{tabular}{c}

Mass \\

(amu)

\end{tabular} & \begin{tabular}{c}

Relative \\

Abundance

\end{tabular} \\

\hline

${ }^{100}$ Mo & 99.9 & $90.6 \%$ \\

\hline

${ }^{96}$ Mo & 95.9 & $9.4 \%$ \\

\hline

\end{tabular}

\][/tex]

Use these measurements to complete the entry for molybdenum in the Periodic Table that would be used on 98765 ALEKS. Be sure your answers have the correct number of significant digits.

Caution: Your correct answer will have the same format but not necessarily the same numbers as the entry for molybdenum in the Periodic Table we use here on Earth.

Answer :

Sure! To determine the atomic weight of molybdenum on the planetesimal 98765 ALEKS, we will use the data provided about its isotopes. Here's how you can calculate it step by step:

1. Understand the Data:
- We are given two isotopes of molybdenum, each with its atomic mass in atomic mass units (amu) and a relative abundance in percentage.
- The two isotopes are:
- [tex]\({}^{100}\text{Mo}\)[/tex] with a mass of 99.9 amu and an abundance of 90.6%.
- [tex]\({}^{96}\text{Mo}\)[/tex] with a mass of 95.9 amu and an abundance of 9.4%.

2. Convert Abundance Percentages into Fractions:
- To work with these percentages mathematically, we convert them into fractions by dividing by 100:
- For [tex]\({}^{100}\text{Mo}\)[/tex]: [tex]\(\frac{90.6}{100} = 0.906\)[/tex]
- For [tex]\({}^{96}\text{Mo}\)[/tex]: [tex]\(\frac{9.4}{100} = 0.094\)[/tex]

3. Calculate the Weighted Average (Atomic Weight):
- The atomic weight is calculated by multiplying the mass of each isotope by its respective fractional abundance, and then adding these values together:
[tex]\[
\text{Atomic weight of molybdenum} = (99.9 \, \text{amu} \times 0.906) + (95.9 \, \text{amu} \times 0.094)
\][/tex]

4. Calculate Each Contribution:
- Contribution of [tex]\({}^{100}\text{Mo}\)[/tex]: [tex]\(99.9 \, \text{amu} \times 0.906 = 90.5994\)[/tex]
- Contribution of [tex]\({}^{96}\text{Mo}\)[/tex]: [tex]\(95.9 \, \text{amu} \times 0.094 = 9.0226\)[/tex]

5. Add the Contributions:
[tex]\[
90.5994 + 9.0226 = 99.622
\][/tex]

6. Determine the Final Result with Significant Figures:
- Since the given data generally has four significant figures (e.g., 99.9), we should round the result to four significant figures:
- The atomic weight of molybdenum for 98765 ALEKS is approximately [tex]\(99.62\)[/tex].

Therefore, if you were to complete the entry for molybdenum on the periodic table for planetesimal 98765 ALEKS, the atomic weight would be recorded as approximately 99.62.