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If there are only two isotopes, which is most abundant?

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Given two isotopes of the same element, are both in the same abundance, is one more than the other, or is there not enough information to decide this?

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  1. i don't remember a case where two isotopes were in the same abundance, there is usually a a predominant isotope.


  2. If you know the molar mass of the element (like, H is 1.01, O is 15.999, etc.) then it generally is which ever isotope is closest in molar mass.

    So if you're given C-12 and C-14, you know that if they were in equal abundance, your molar mass of C would be something close to 13, if C-14 was more common, then the molar mass of C would be >13, but if C-12 was in a higher abundance, then C would have a molar mass close to 12.

  3. There is not enough information to decide this. There would most likely be a predominant isotope. If you could name the element and the two isotopes, you could mathematically decide which one is more abundant.

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