An undiscovered element has three naturally occurring isotopes of x-55, x-57, and x-58. isotope x-55 has an abundance of 27.80 % and isotope x-57 has an abundance of 44.39 %. what is the average mass of this element in amu?

The average atomic mass of this elements is 56.7221 amu.

Explanation: The average atomic mass is the sum of the masses of its isotopes each multiplied by their natural abundances.

           .....(1)

We are given 3 isotopes of an element.

For Isotope ,

Mass = 55 amu

Fractional abundance = 0.2780

For isotope ,

Mass = 57 amu

Fractional abundance = 0.4439

Total Fractional abundance = 1

For isotope ,

Mass = 58 amu

Fractional abundance = Total abundance - abundances of the other isotopes

Fractional abundance = 1 - 0.7219

                                     = 0.2781

Now, putting all the values in equation 1, we get

Average atomic mass = 56.7221 amu.

the answer is b because, investigating whether another species of moth also drinks tears might be interesting, but it would not directly explain why this species of moth does.

to explain why this species of moth drinks tears, the scientist could ask: "what nutrients that moths need are in elephant tears? "

the scientist could experiment with moth repellent or oter ways to keep the moths away, but that would not answer his original question.