Ask Question
10 December, 13:36

Explain why the atomic mass of an element is usually not given as a whole number even though each individual atom of the element has a whole number of protons and neutrons

+5
Answers (1)
  1. 10 December, 14:12
    0
    An atomic mass is the sum of the protons and neutrons of a given element. The atomic mass is given it what is called a weighted average of all the different kinds of that element. Take carbon for example. It has carbon-12, carbon-13, and carbon-14. The reason its atomic weight is so close to 12 (12.011 ish) is because carbon-12 is by far the most common, and carbon-13 and - 14 are so uncommon, that the weighted average is close to 12, but not exactly 12.
Know the Answer?
Not Sure About the Answer?
Find an answer to your question ✅ “Explain why the atomic mass of an element is usually not given as a whole number even though each individual atom of the element has a ...” in 📘 Chemistry if you're in doubt about the correctness of the answers or there's no answer, then try to use the smart search and find answers to the similar questions.
Search for Other Answers