Question

On a conventional scale, the atomic weight of sulfur is 32. If on a new scale, an amu is defined as one-third by weight of an atom of C-12 isotope, what would be the atomic weight of sulphur on this new scale?

Answer 1

Hint: We have to calculate the atomic weight of sulfur on a new scale using the weight of an atom of carbon-12 isotope in new scale and atomic weight of sulfur in conventional scale. We can say the mass of one atom as the atomic mass. We use the unit Kilogram to represent mass, and in the non-SI system, mass is indicated as u or 1 Dalton.

Complete step by step answer:
Given data contains,
Atomic weight of sulfur is 32.
The mass of carbon is 12.
We can define the equivalent weight of an element as the atomic weight divided by outermost electrons in compounds. Atomic mass unit is the unit of equivalent weight of an element, the amount of substance in gram is same to the equivalent weight called as the gram equivalent weight.
a.m.u stands for atomic mass unit, which is mass of an atom
Let us consider the atomic weight of sulfur in the new scale as x.
One amu is one-third by weight of an atom of carbon-12 isotope. So, let us now calculate the atomic weight of sulfur in new scale as,
$\dfrac{1}{3} \times x \times 12 = 32$
$ \Rightarrow 4x = 32$
On simplifying we get,
$ \Rightarrow x = 8$
The atomic weight of sulfur in the new scale is 8.

Note: We have to know that some allotropes of sulfur are colloidal sulfur, milk of sulfur, amorphous sulfur, insoluble sulfur, fibrous sulfur etc. Let us discuss some of the uses of sulfur:
We can use sulfur in vulcanization of rubber
We can use sulfur in insecticides in crops
It is used in manufacturing bleaching agents
We can use sulfur in the production of carbon disulfide that is used as skin ointments.