Photo AI
The following information refers to the isotopes of copper and was collected by using a mass spectrometer - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2006 - Paper 1
Question 3
The following information refers to the isotopes of copper and was collected by using a mass spectrometer. Isotope Relative isotopic mass $^{63}$Cu 62.93 $^{65}$Cu ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The following information refers to the isotopes of copper and was collected by using a mass spectrometer - VCE - SSCE Chemistry - Question 3 - 2006 - Paper 1
Step 1
Calculate the Percentage Abundance of the $^{63}$Cu Isotope
Answer
To calculate the percentage abundance of the Cu isotope, we can set up the following equations using the weighted average of the isotopes:
Let x be the percentage abundance of the Cu isotope, and (100 - x) be the percentage abundance of the Cu isotope.
Using the relative atomic mass, we have:
Setting this equal to the given relative atomic mass of copper (63.54):
Multiplying through by 100:
This simplifies to:
Combining like terms:
Rearranging gives:
Therefore, the percentage abundance of the Cu isotope is approximately 69.5%.
Step 2
The atomic number of nickel is 28.
Answer
The atomic number of nickel is 28, which means it has 28 protons in its nucleus. This places nickel in Group 10 of the periodic table.
Each transition metal has its own electron configuration, and the first transition series consists of elements with electrons filling the 3d subshell. Nickel follows iron and cobalt in this series, completing the group of 10 elements: scandium (21), titanium (22), vanadium (23), chromium (24), manganese (25), iron (26), cobalt (27), nickel (28), copper (29), and zinc (30).
Step 3
Explain why there are exactly 10 elements in each of the series of transition metals.
Answer
There are exactly 10 elements in each series of transition metals because each element in the first transition series has its 3d subshell increasingly filled as we move across the series from element 21 (scandium) to element 30 (zinc). The transition metals span groups 3 to 12 in the periodic table, corresponding to the filling of the 3d orbitals.
Moreover, the transition metals exhibit a consistent pattern of electron filling and they typically display similar properties in terms of oxidation states and complex ion formation, due to the presence of partially filled d-orbitals, which is characteristic of this group of elements.