Because each isotope of an element has a mass different from any other isotope of the same element, and the Atomic Mass of an element is an average, weighted by the proportion of each isotope, in the naturally occurring element.
The abundance percentage of each isotope
To find the average atomic mass of the element, you would need the mass of each isotope and their corresponding natural abundance percentages. Multiply the mass of each isotope by its respective abundance percentage, then sum these values for all isotopes to determine the average atomic mass of the element.
Isotopes are determined by the number of neutrons in an atom's nucleus. Each isotope of an element has the same number of protons in its nucleus but a different number of neutrons. Isotopes of an element have the same chemical properties but different atomic masses.
average atomic massof an element=(Atomic mass of first isotope X % of that isotope) + (Atomic mass of second isotope X % of the second isotope)
The atomic number of an isotope is always identical to every other isotope, otherwise, it would form a separate element.
The two main factors in determining the average atomic mass of an element are:the isotopic composition of the element (the fraction of each isotope)the atomic mass of each isotope
An isotope shares the atomic number with its element atom. How does it differ from the element atom?
To calculate the atomic weight of an element with multiple isotopes, you multiply the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance (as a decimal), then sum the products. The result is the atomic weight of the element, which is a weighted average of the masses of its isotopes based on their abundance in nature.
You would need to know the abundance of each isotope to find the average atomic mass of the element. The average atomic mass is calculated by multiplying the mass of each isotope by its relative abundance and then summing these values together.
The abundance percentage of each isotope
The number of neutrons in an atom determines the isotope of the element. Isotopes of an element have the same number of protons but differing numbers of neutrons. This affects the stability and nuclear properties of the atom.
An isotope of Neon. This isotope accounts for between a fifth and a quarter of the element.