Question

Using a suitable reference such as the CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics or http://www.webelements.com, look up the following information for nickel: (a) the number of known isotopes, (b) the atomic masses (in amu) and (c) the natural abundances of the five most abundant isotopes.

Short answer

For nickel, (a) there are 31 known isotopes. (b) The atomic masses of the five most abundant isotopes are: \(^{58}\)Ni: 57.9353479 amu, \(^{60}\)Ni: 59.9307906 amu, \(^{61}\)Ni: 60.9310604 amu, \(^{62}\)Ni: 61.9283488 amu, and \(^{64}\)Ni: 63.9279696 amu. (c) The natural abundances of these isotopes are: \(^{58}\)Ni: 68.0769%, \(^{60}\)Ni: 26.2231%, \(^{61}\)Ni: 1.1399%, \(^{62}\)Ni: 3.6345%, and \(^{64}\)Ni: 0.9256%.

Step-by-step solution

Access the website for information about nickel

Visit the website http://www.webelements.com/nickel/. Here you will find relevant data and information related to the element nickel.

Find the number of known isotopes

On the website, look for the section called "Isotopes." Here, you will find the information related to isotopes of nickel. The website states that there are 31 known isotopes of nickel.

Find the atomic masses and natural abundances of the five most abundant isotopes

In the same section (Isotopes), you will notice a table showing the isotopes of nickel and some of their properties. From this table, you can identify the five most abundant isotopes and their respective properties. 1. Isotope \(^{58}\)Ni: - Atomic Mass: 57.9353479 amu - Natural Abundance: 68.0769% 2. Isotope \(^{60}\)Ni: - Atomic Mass: 59.9307906 amu - Natural Abundance: 26.2231% 3. Isotope \(^{61}\)Ni: - Atomic Mass: 60.9310604 amu - Natural Abundance: 1.1399% 4. Isotope \(^{62}\)Ni: - Atomic Mass: 61.9283488 amu - Natural Abundance: 3.6345% 5. Isotope \(^{64}\)Ni: - Atomic Mass: 63.9279696 amu - Natural Abundance: 0.9256%

Summary of the information

For nickel, (a) There are 31 known isotopes. (b) The atomic masses of the five most abundant isotopes are: - \(^{58}\)Ni: 57.9353479 amu - \(^{60}\)Ni: 59.9307906 amu - \(^{61}\)Ni: 60.9310604 amu - \(^{62}\)Ni: 61.9283488 amu - \(^{64}\)Ni: 63.9279696 amu (c) The natural abundances of the five most abundant isotopes are: - \(^{58}\)Ni: 68.0769% - \(^{60}\)Ni: 26.2231% - \(^{61}\)Ni: 1.1399% - \(^{62}\)Ni: 3.6345% - \(^{64}\)Ni: 0.9256%

Key concepts

Atomic Mass

Atomic mass, also known as atomic weight, is a fundamental property of an element. It is the weighted average of all naturally occurring isotopes of that element, expressed in atomic mass units (amu). This quantity gives us useful information about the relative mass of atoms. Each isotope of an element has its own atomic mass, and the overall atomic mass of the element reflects the mixture of these isotopes based on their natural abundance.

To understand how atomic mass is determined for nickel, consider its most abundant isotopes. For example, isotope \(^{58}\)Ni has an atomic mass of 57.9353479 amu. By considering all isotopes like \(^{60}\)Ni, \(^{61}\)Ni, \(^{62}\)Ni, and \(^{64}\)Ni along with their atomic masses, one can calculate the element's average atomic mass by factoring in each isotope's respective abundance.

• The atomic mass gives insight into the element's behavior during chemical reactions.
• It is essential for molar mass calculations in chemistry.
• Knowing the atomic mass can help predict how nickel will combine with other elements in compounds.

Natural Abundance

Natural abundance refers to the percentage of each isotope present in a sample of an element on Earth. Different isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but differ in the number of neutrons. As a result, they exhibit slightly different physical but similar chemical properties.

The natural abundance provides useful insights into isotopic composition, which can have implications in various scientific areas. For nickel, the most abundant isotope is \(^{58}\)Ni with a natural abundance of 68.0769%. The information about natural abundance helps in calculating the average atomic mass, which represents this mixture.

• Isotope \(^{60}\)Ni has a significant natural abundance of 26.2231%.
• Isotopes like \(^{61}\)Ni and \(^{62}\)Ni are present in smaller amounts but are essential for precision measurements and applications.
• Presence of trace isotopes like \(^{64}\)Ni contributes to the overall understanding of elemental composition and geochemical processes.

Chemical Elements

Chemical elements are pure substances consisting of only one type of atom. They are defined by their atomic number, which represents the number of protons in the nucleus. Nickel, for instance, is a chemical element with the atomic number 28.

The concept of elements is fundamental in chemistry as they form the building blocks of all matter. Each element has unique characteristics that define its chemical behavior and reactions. Isotopes are variations within a chemical element where differences in neutron numbers don't significantly change chemical properties.

• Nickel is strong, adaptable, and corrosion-resistant, used in alloys and plating.
• It is crucial in the development of many chemical processes and industrial applications.
• Understanding chemical elements involves knowing about their isotopes, atomic masses, and natural abundances.

Studying chemical elements helps in predicting reactivity, forming chemical bonds, and creating complex materials.