Here are four naturally occurring oxygen isotopes, O-15, O-16, O-17, O-18. Which one is the most abundant? Why is the answer O-16?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking which oxygen isotope is the most abundant among the naturally occurring isotopes of oxygen (O-15, O-16, O-17, O-18) and is seeking an explanation for why O-16 is the most abundant. The focus is on understanding the abundance of these isotopes in nature.
Answer
O-16.
The final answer is O-16.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is O-16.
More Information
O-16 is the most abundant isotope of oxygen in nature, comprising around 99.76% of oxygen atoms found on Earth. It is the 'lightest' isotope with eight protons and eight neutrons, which contributes to its abundance by making it more stable and favorable in natural processes.
Tips
Common mistakes include confusing the stable isotopes with each other or thinking O-16's abundance is due to it having more neutrons or protons, rather than its natural stability and occurrence.
Sources
- Naturally Occurring Stable Isotopes of Oxygen - Springer - link.springer.com
- Solved Oxygen Isotopes - Chegg - chegg.com
- Paleoclimatology: The Oxygen Balance - NASA Earth Observatory - earthobservatory.nasa.gov
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