Question

Determine the relative abundance of the two isotopes of chlorine.
A.50% for $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and 50% for $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$
B. 67% for $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and 23% for $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$
C. 77.5% for $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and 24.23% for $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$
D. 22.5% for $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and77.5%for $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$

Answer 1

Hint : In order to answer the question we should first know about relative abundance. The percentage of atoms with a particular atomic mass present in a naturally occurring sample of an element is known as relative abundance.

Complete Step By Step Answer:
Chlorine is a chemical element with the atomic number 17 and the symbol $Cl$ . It is the second-lightest of the halogens, appearing in the periodic table between fluorine and bromine, and its properties are often intermediate between them. At room temperature, chlorine is a yellow-green gas. It is a highly reactive element and a powerful oxidizer; on the Pauling scale, it has the highest electron affinity and third-highest electronegativity, behind only oxygen and fluorine.
The consistency of relative species abundance patterns indicates that the distribution of individuals among species within a trophic level is determined by some macroecological "law" or mechanism.
Chlorine has two isotopes in nature: $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$ . $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ has a 75.77% abundance, while $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$ has a 24.23% abundance. In other words, 75 chlorine atoms have a mass number of 35, and 25 atoms have a mass number of 37 in every 100 chlorine atoms.
So, from the above gathered data we can conclude that the correct option the given question is (C) 77.5% for $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and 24.23% for $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$ .

Note :
The stable isotopes of chlorine are $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ and, $\left( {chlorine - 37} \right)$ with $\left( {chlorine - 35} \right)$ responsible for about three out of every four naturally occurring chlorine atoms. $Chlorine - 36$ is a radioactive isotope with a half-life of around 30,000 years that is also found in nature.