Question

the average atomic mass of oxygen is 15.9994 amu. the atomic masses of its three isotopes are as follows: o-16: 15.995 amu; o-17: 16.999 amu; o-18: 17.999 amu which isotope is most likely to have the greatest abundance in nature? a. o-16 b. o-17 c. o-18 d. all three isotopes may be equally abundant

Explanation:

The average atomic mass of an element is a weighted average of the atomic masses of its isotopes, where the weights are the relative abundances of the isotopes. An isotope with an atomic mass closer to the average atomic mass of the element is likely to have a greater abundance. The average atomic mass of oxygen is 15.9994 amu. The atomic mass of O - 16 (15.995 amu) is much closer to the average atomic mass of oxygen compared to O - 17 (16.999 amu) and O - 18 (17.999 amu). So, O - 16 is most likely to have the greatest abundance.

Answer:

A. O - 16