What is the relative atomic mass?
Understand the Problem
The question asks for the definition of relative atomic mass. This involves understanding the concept of atomic mass, isotopes, and how they are averaged to provide a relative value on the periodic table.
Answer
The relative atomic mass is the ratio of the average mass of an element's atoms to the unified atomic mass unit.
Relative atomic mass is the ratio of the average mass of an element's atoms to the unified atomic mass unit, which is 1/12 of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
Answer for screen readers
Relative atomic mass is the ratio of the average mass of an element's atoms to the unified atomic mass unit, which is 1/12 of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
More Information
The unified atomic mass unit is a standard unit of mass used to express the mass of atoms and molecules. It is defined as 1/12 of the mass of a carbon-12 atom in its ground state.
Tips
A common mistake is confusing relative atomic mass with mass number. Relative atomic mass is an average of isotopes, while mass number is the number of protons and neutrons in a single atom.
Sources
- Relative atomic mass - Chemical equations and calculations - BBC - bbc.co.uk
- Relative Atomic Mass (GCSE Chemistry) - Study Mind - studymind.co.uk
- 1.4 Relative atomic mass - The Open University - open.edu
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