- #1
Atomic mass is the average mass of an atom of a specific element, taking into account all of its isotopes. It is important because it helps us understand the properties and behavior of elements, and it is used in determining the chemical composition of substances.
Atomic mass is calculated by taking the weighted average of the masses of all the isotopes of an element. This involves multiplying the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance (percentage of occurrence) and then adding all of these values together.
Atomic mass is typically measured in atomic mass units (amu) or unified atomic mass units (u). Both units are equal to 1/12 of the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
Atomic masses are not whole numbers because they take into account the existence of isotopes, which have different masses due to varying numbers of neutrons. Since different isotopes occur in different proportions, the atomic mass is an average value.
The atomic mass of an element is typically found listed below the element's symbol on the periodic table. It is used to organize elements in order of increasing mass, with elements in the same column having similar properties due to their similar atomic structures.