Question
Chemists often use the terms "atomic weight" and "atomic mass" interchangeably. Explain why it would be more accurate if, in place of either of these terms, we used the phrase "average atomic mass."
Step 1
Atomic mass refers to the mass of a specific isotope. For example, if we consider chlorine 35, its mass is 34.997 atomic mass units. Show more…
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Chemists generally use the term atomic weight rather than average atomic mass. We state in the text that the latter term is more correct. By considering the units of weight and mass, can you explain why this is so? The response has to be a narrative, in the form of a paragraph showing work (mathematics) wherever applicable. This paragraph should be at least 10 complete sentences. These sentences must be explaining your answer.
Explain the difference between the average atomic mass given on the periodic table and the mass of an atom.
A World of Particles
Isotopes
Cite the difference between atomic mass and atomic weight.
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