To calculate the relative atomic mass of chlorine (Cl), we need to take into account the relative abundance of its isotopes and their respective masses.
Given that 75% of chlorine atoms have a mass number of 32 (which represents the isotope chlorine-32, denoted as Cl-32), and 25% have a mass number of 36 (which represents the isotope chlorine-36, denoted as Cl-36), we can proceed with the calculation.
Determine the contribution of Cl-32 to the overall atomic mass: Contribution of Cl-32 = (Percentage abundance of Cl-32) * (Mass of Cl-32)
Contribution of Cl-32 = 0.75 * 32 = 24
Determine the contribution of Cl-36 to the overall atomic mass: Contribution of Cl-36 = (Percentage abundance of Cl-36) * (Mass of Cl-36)
Contribution of Cl-36 = 0.25 * 36 = 9
Calculate the relative atomic mass by summing the contributions of both isotopes: Relative atomic mass of chlorine = Contribution of Cl-32 + Contribution of Cl-36
Relative atomic mass of chlorine = 24 + 9 = 33
Therefore, the relative atomic mass of chlorine is approximately 33.