Answer:
15%
85%
Explanation:
Let the natural abundance of Fe-55 = y
the natural abundance of Fe - 56 = 1-y
Average atomic mass = 55.85
Unknown:
Percent abundances of each isotope = ?
Solution;
The average atomic mass of a substance is given as;
Average atomic mass = (mass x abundance)Fe - 55 + (mass x abundance)Fe - 56
Now insert the parameters and solve;
55.85 = (55 x y) + [56 x(1-y)]
55.85 = 55y + 56 - 56y
55.85 = -y + 56
55.85 - 56 = -y
-0.15 = -y
y = 0.15
1-y = 1 - 0.15 = 0.85
Percentage abundance;
Fe - 55 = 0.15 x 100 = 15%
Fe - 56 = 0.85 x 100 = 85%
