Naturally occurring stable isotopes of silicon include 29Si (28.976 amu) and 30S

Question

Naturally occurring stable isotopes of silicon include 29Si (28.976 amu) and 30Si (29.974 amu). Which statement best describes the relative natural abundance of the isotopes of silicon?

A) A sample of silicon contains more 30Si than 29Si.

B) There must be a third isotope of Si with a larger mass number than 29.

C) A sample of silicon contains more 29Si than 30Si.

D) A sample of silicon contains approximately equal amounts of 29-Si and 30-Si.

E) There must be a third isotope of Si with a smaller mass number than 29

Explanation / Answer

E) There must be a third isotope of Si with a smaller mass number than 29

since there is 28.97... meaning that, if this was an average

(X + 29) / 2 = 28.976

X must be less than 29

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