Average Atomic Mass

Front

What is average atomic mass?

Back

The weighted average of the masses of an element's isotopes, taking into account their relative abundances.

Front

How do you calculate average atomic mass?

Back

Multiply the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance (as a decimal), then sum these values.

Front

What is an isotope?

Back

Atoms of the same element that have the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons.

Front

What is the significance of the atomic mass unit (amu)?

Back

It is a standard unit of mass that quantifies mass on an atomic or molecular scale, defined as one twelfth of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

Front

What is the relationship between protons, neutrons, and atomic mass?

Back

The atomic mass of an element is approximately equal to the sum of its protons and neutrons.

Front

What does the term 'abundance' refer to in isotopes?

Back

The relative amount of each isotope of an element present in a sample, usually expressed as a percentage.

Front

How can you identify an element using its average atomic mass?

Back

By comparing the calculated average atomic mass to values listed in the periodic table.

Front

What is the average atomic mass of Boron?

Back

10.8 amu, calculated from its isotopes: boron-10 and boron-11.

Front

What is the difference between atomic mass and mass number?

Back

Atomic mass is the weighted average of all isotopes, while mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in a specific isotope.

Front

What is a mass spectrum?

Back

A graphical representation of the mass-to-charge ratio of ions, used to identify the composition of a sample.