Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.
Neon has three stable isotopes. Neon-20 has an atomic mass of u and makes up of the atoms. Neon-21 has u and . Neon-22 has u and . Find the average atomic mass of neon. How many neon-22 atoms are there in a sample of atoms?
A nucleus of mass number has a radius with fm, and m. Its mass is about atomic mass units, with kg. The density is the mass over the volume , and it is the same for every nucleus.
Have you tried it?
Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.
Plan. The average is a weighted sum, the weight of an isotope being its share of the atoms.
Step 1. The contributions. Neon-20: . Neon-21: . Neon-22: .
Step 2. The sum. .
Step 3. The count. atoms.
Answer: u, and atoms.
Check. The answer lies between u and u, and it is close to the most common isotope. It fits.
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