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Atomic mass is the average mass of all the isotopes of an element. This average is depends in part on the relative abundances of these isotopes, which are not whole numbers. Additionally, the masses of protons and neutrons are not exactly 1 AMU. The mass of electrons is also a factor, but their contribution is extremely small.

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Related Questions

What is atomc number?

It is the number of protons found in the nucleus of an atom. It is represented by Z.


What is molar mass a whole number multiple of?

Molar mass is a whole number multiple of the Empirical formula mass


Why are mass numbers whole numbers?

mass numbers are whole numbers because the mass number is number of protons in an atom, plus the number of neutrons. you can only have a whole neutron and or proton, therefore, all mass numbers are whole numbers.


Can mass only be a whole number?

No, it cannot. A whole number is a quantity without units - a pure number. A mass of 1 pound is a whole number of pounds but it is 0.45359 kilograms: not a whole number, or 453.59 grams, again not a whole number.


What is the nearest whole number of atomic mass of potassium?

The nearest Whole number of atomic mass of potassium is 69


Does the mass number of an element have to be a whole number?

Approximately, yes. But the mass number is an average of the masses of the isotopes of the element, weighted together according to their abundance. This averaging of different whole numbers results in the mass number not being a whole number.


What is an element's atomic mass not listed as a whole number on the periodic table?

Few elements have isotopes. their atomic mass is not a whole number.


Why is the atomic mass number not a whole number?

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.


Why is the atomic mass of an element not a whole number while the atomic number is?

The atomic number refers to the number of protons in the atom. Since the proton cannot be an in-between number, the atomic number will have to be a whole number. On the other hand, the atomic mass does not have to be a whole number because it is the mass of an atom and is roughly equivalent to the number of protons plus the average number of neutrons in that particular element.


What is a whole number which represents the total number of protons and neutrons?

This is the mass number.


Why is atomic mass usually a whole number?

It is not usually a whole number. It would appear that you have been misinformed.


Is the atomic mass of an element is always a whole number of atomic mass untis?

No.