Chapter 11: Problem 3

A mixture of two common isotopes of oxygen, oxygen- 16 and oxygen-18, is put in a chamber that is then spun around at a very high speed. It is found that one isotope is more concentrated near the axis of rotation of the chamber and the other is more concentrated near the outer part of the chamber. Why is that, and which isotope is where?

Short Answer

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Answer: The difference in the concentration of oxygen isotopes when the chamber is spun at high speed is due to the centripetal force acting on the isotopes. Oxygen-18, being the heavier isotope, will be more concentrated near the outer part of the chamber, and oxygen-16, being the lighter isotope, will be more concentrated near the axis of rotation.

Step by step solution

Understand the Concept of Centripetal Force

Centripetal force is the force that keeps an object moving in a circular path. In this case, the chamber is spinning, and the centripetal force acts on the oxygen isotopes inside the chamber. The force will push heavier objects (oxygen-18) towards the outer part of the chamber and lighter objects (oxygen-16) towards the axis of rotation.

Compare the Masses of Oxygen Isotopes

Oxygen-16 and oxygen-18 are isotopes of oxygen, which means they have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. Oxygen-16 has 8 neutrons, while oxygen-18 has 10 neutrons. This makes oxygen-18 heavier than oxygen-16.

Apply Centripetal Force Concept on Oxygen Isotopes

When the chamber is spun at high speed, the centripetal force tends to push the heavier objects towards the outer part of the chamber and lighter objects towards the axis of rotation. In this case, oxygen-18 being heavier will be more concentrated near the outer part of the chamber while oxygen-16 being lighter will be more concentrated near the axis of rotation.

Conclusion

The difference in the concentration of oxygen isotopes when the chamber is spun at high speed is due to the centripetal force acting on the isotopes. Oxygen-18, being the heavier isotope, will be more concentrated near the outer part of the chamber, and oxygen-16, being the lighter isotope, will be more concentrated near the axis of rotation.

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Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the Concept of Centripetal Force

Compare the Masses of Oxygen Isotopes

Apply Centripetal Force Concept on Oxygen Isotopes

Conclusion

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