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Atomic Mass (ma) is the mass of an atom. A single atom has a set number of protons and neutrons, so the mass is unequivocal (won't change) and is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the atom. ... Atomic weight is a weighted average of the mass of all the atoms of an element, based on the abundance of isotopes.

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Ethel Hauck

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2mo ago

The atomic weight is the average weight of an element's isotopes based on their abundance in nature, while the mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of an atom. Atomic weight considers all isotopes, whereas mass number is specific to a single isotope.

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16y ago

Atomic matter is a general term, and it speaks to an atom or group of atoms. It may possibly refer to the constituent components of atoms - protons, neutrons and electrons. Atomic weight is the weight of a "weighted average" of all the naturally occurring isotopes of a given element. Use the link to the related question for more information.

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11y ago

Atomic weight is an older term, usually it is called atomic mass now. Atomic mass is the most accurate mass that scientists can figure out for the weighted average of all isotopes that occur in nature. Atomic mass is a decimal number for this reason. Averaging several masses, even if they are whole numbers will give you some decimals.

Mass number is the sum of the protons and neutrons in a particular isotope. An element does not have a mass number. But each isotope will have a mass number. These are never decimal numbers, but will always be a whole number.

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11y ago

please describe the difference between atomic weight and mass

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Abigale Williams

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13y ago

Atomic number is the number of protons in an atom.

Mass number is total number of protons and neutrons in an atom.

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11y ago

Atomic mass is the mass of an atom in atomic mass units, and includes protons, neutrons, and electrons; and atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.

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Q: Difference between atomic weight and mass number?
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Which particles account for the difference between the atomic number and the mass number?

Neutrons account for the difference between the atomic number and the mass number of an atom. The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus, while the atomic number is the number of protons. By subtracting the atomic number from the mass number, we can determine the number of neutrons present in the nucleus.


What is the biggest bjump in atomic weights between consecutive elements on the periodic table?

The biggest jump in atomic weights between consecutive elements on the periodic table occurs between uranium (atomic number 92) and neptunium (atomic number 93). Uranium has an atomic weight of approximately 238.03, while neptunium has an atomic weight of approximately 237.05, resulting in a difference of almost 1 atomic mass unit.


What is the difference between the atomic number and the atomic weight of the known elements as listed on the periodic table?

The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which determines the element's identity. Atomic weight, or atomic mass, is the average weight of an element's isotopes, taking into account their abundance in nature. Atomic weight is a weighted average of the different isotopes for each element.


How do you calculate how many neutrons there are in an atom?

You can calculate the number of neutrons in an atom by subtracting the number of protons (which is the atomic number) from the atomic mass of the atom. The atomic mass is the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the atom.


Is the atomic weight of an element is equal to the number of protons minus the number of neutrons?

No, the atomic weight of an element is not equal to the number of protons minus the number of neutrons. Atomic weight is the average weight of an element's isotopes taking into account their abundance, which includes the sum of the protons and neutrons in the nucleus.

Related questions

What is the difference between atomic number and atomic mass weight?

Atomic mass is the mass of an atom in atomic mass units, and includes protons, neutrons, and electrons; and atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.


What is the difference between the atomic number mass number and atomic mass?

We can find Atomic Mass and mass number in chemical elements. Atomic mass is about weight of the atom. Mass number is about total of neutrons and protons.


What is the difference between the atomic number and average atomic mass?

We can find Atomic Mass and mass number in chemical elements. Atomic mass is about weight of the atom. Mass number is about total of neutrons and protons.


What is the difference between atomic mass and atomic weight?

Atomic Mass is the mass of an atom in atomic mass units, and includes protons, neutrons, and electrons; and atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.


What is difference between atomic weight and atomic mass?

Atomic Mass is the mass of an atom in Atomic Mass units, and includes protons, neutrons, and electrons; and atomic number is the number of protons in the nucleus of the atom.


Which particles account for the difference between the atomic number and the mass number?

Neutrons account for the difference between the atomic number and the mass number of an atom. The mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus, while the atomic number is the number of protons. By subtracting the atomic number from the mass number, we can determine the number of neutrons present in the nucleus.


Explain what evidence is available on the periodic table that supports the idea of isotopes?

the difference between the atomic number and the average weight


What is the biggest bjump in atomic weights between consecutive elements on the periodic table?

The biggest jump in atomic weights between consecutive elements on the periodic table occurs between uranium (atomic number 92) and neptunium (atomic number 93). Uranium has an atomic weight of approximately 238.03, while neptunium has an atomic weight of approximately 237.05, resulting in a difference of almost 1 atomic mass unit.


What is the difference between the atomic number and the atomic weight of the known elements as listed on the periodic table?

The atomic number represents the number of protons in an atom's nucleus, which determines the element's identity. Atomic weight, or atomic mass, is the average weight of an element's isotopes, taking into account their abundance in nature. Atomic weight is a weighted average of the different isotopes for each element.


What is the difference of a atomic number and atomic weight?

Atomic number is the number of a chemical element in the periodic table of Mendeleev; it is equal in the neutral state with the number of protons or electrons. Atomic weight is the mass of a chemical element (considering the isotopic composition) expressed in atomic mass units.


What is the difference between mass and atomic numbers?

The atomic number gives you a hint of how many protons are in the atom. While mass is the weight of the whole atom( including protons, electrons, and neutrons).


Is the atomic weight the same as the atomic number?

No, the atomic number is the number of protons that an atom contains. Atomic weight is the number of protons and neutrons.