Today, we were told to complete a lab in order to calculate the average mass of the isotope, the percent abundance, and the total mass of all the atoms of the isotope, which was appropriately named Beanium. This new element is shaped like a bean and can actually seen by the naked eye. During the lab, we weighed each of the different isotopes (colors) of beans, making sure to tare the scale, and used that to find the total mass of this isotope. Then, based on the number of atoms of the isotope present we were able to divide that number by the total number of beanium atoms in the sample. I really liked this lab because it was a fun and simple way to further review the concept of calculating average atomic mass and it had a clever lead in to explain the nature of the lab.
(Here is a basic example of how to calculate average atomic mass)
(Here you can see the different Beanium isotopes and the cup we put them in to measure their mass)
(And finally,
HERE you can refer to this example of the whole Beanium lab expalined in great detail.)
That lab was really fun! If you visit my blog you can find some artfully organized Beanium Isotopes, which I know we all appreciate. My favorite part of this lab (don't make fun) was when me and Sophie arranged our beans in the shape of a smiley face, it was pretty cool. I hope the penny lab is fun when we do it (probably on Monday) and I hope to see you then.
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