Beanium Lab Report

Purpose
The purpose of the “Beanium” lab was to determine the average atomic mass of three different isotopes of beanium. During the lab beans were counted to determine mass of the sum of the beans. Each type of bean were weighed separately and then averaged together to determine the average atomic mass of beanium.
Materials and Hazards
Analytical balance, coffee filter, pencil, paper, cup, American beans, Nigerian beans, Mexican beans, calculator, and paper.
Raw Data
Bean
Total Mass w/ Cup
Number of Beans
American Beans
17.489 g
75
Nigerian Beans
5.995 g
25
Mexican Beans
3.106 g
53

Calculated Data/Graphs
Bean
Total Mass w/o cup
Average of each Bean
Average Atomic Mass
American bean
16.749 g
.2233 g

Nigerian bean
5.255 g
.2102 g

Mexican bean
2.366 g
.0586 g

.1640 g

Sample Calculation

Error Analysis
During this lab there was no error in the outcome or predicted outcome. The lab showed the average of all three of the beanium isotopes. The average is what was expected from the calculations.
Conclusion
The purpose of this experiment was to find the average atomic mass of the three isotopes of beanium. The average atomic mass of beanium was .1640 grams. This procedure was effective in determining the average atomic mass of an element.
Answers to Post lab Questions
What is average atomic mass?
Average atomic mass is the average mass of different isotopes of a certain element.
For an element with isotopes, what pieces of information are needed to calculate average atomic mass?
The abundance and mass of each isotopes is needed to calculate the average atomic mass.