What is the atomic mass of oxygen-18?
Answer (2)
The problem asks for the atomic mass of oxygen-18.
The atomic mass of an isotope is approximately equal to its mass number.
The mass number of oxygen-18 is 18.
Therefore, the atomic mass of oxygen-18 is \boxed{18}.
Explanation
Problem Analysis The problem asks us to find the atomic mass of oxygen-18, given the options 18, 10, and 8. Oxygen-18 is an isotope of oxygen. The atomic mass of an isotope is approximately equal to its mass number.
Determining Atomic Mass The mass number of oxygen-18 is 18. Therefore, the atomic mass of oxygen-18 is 18.
Final Answer The atomic mass of oxygen-18 is \boxed{18}.
Examples
Understanding isotopes and their atomic masses is crucial in various fields. For instance, in environmental science, oxygen-18 is used as a tracer to study water cycles and climate patterns. By tracking the concentration of oxygen-18 in different water sources, scientists can gain insights into the origin and movement of water, helping them understand climate change and manage water resources effectively. This knowledge is also applied in geology to determine the age and origin of rocks and minerals, providing a deeper understanding of Earth's history.
The atomic mass of oxygen-18 is approximately 18 atomic mass units (amu), which corresponds to its mass number of 18. Understanding isotopes like oxygen-18 is crucial for various scientific studies, especially in climate research.
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