1. What is Isotopic Mass?

The isotopic mass is the weighted average mass of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element, taking into account their relative abundances. It's crucial for accurate mass spectrometry analysis.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Mass_i \) — Mass of isotope i (in atomic mass units, amu)
• \( Abundance_i \) — Natural abundance of isotope i (as decimal fraction)

Explanation: The equation calculates the weighted average of all isotopic masses based on their natural abundances.

3. Importance in Mass Spectrometry

Details: Accurate isotopic mass calculations are essential for interpreting mass spectra, identifying molecular species, and determining elemental composition in mass spectrometry.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter masses in atomic mass units (amu) and abundances as decimal fractions (e.g., 0.75 for 75%). You can calculate for up to two isotopes (leave second pair blank if only one isotope).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is isotopic mass different from atomic mass?
A: Atomic mass refers to the mass of a single atom, while isotopic mass is the weighted average considering all naturally occurring isotopes.

Q2: How many isotopes can I calculate?
A: This calculator handles up to two isotopes. For more complex calculations with multiple isotopes, specialized software is recommended.

Q3: What units should I use?
A: Masses should be in atomic mass units (amu) and abundances as decimal fractions between 0 and 1.

Q4: How precise should my inputs be?
A: For accurate results, use precise mass values (4+ decimal places) and exact abundances when available.

Q5: Can I use this for molecular species?
A: This calculates isotopic mass for single elements. For molecules, you would need to combine the isotopic masses of all constituent atoms.