/*! This file is auto-generated */ .wp-block-button__link{color:#fff;background-color:#32373c;border-radius:9999px;box-shadow:none;text-decoration:none;padding:calc(.667em + 2px) calc(1.333em + 2px);font-size:1.125em}.wp-block-file__button{background:#32373c;color:#fff;text-decoration:none} Problem 12 On which atom are all atomic mas... [FREE SOLUTION] | 91影视

91影视

Log out

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 10: Problem 12

On which atom are all atomic masses based? What mass is assigned to that atom?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Atomic masses are based on carbon-12, assigned a mass of 12 amu.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Atomic Mass

Atomic masses are based on the concept of atomic mass units (amu). The atomic mass unit is a standard unit used for indicating mass on an atomic or molecular scale.
02

Identifying the Reference Atom

The standard reference for atomic masses is the carbon-12 isotope, which is the most common isotope of carbon. It is used as the baseline for atomic masses because of its stability and abundance.
03

Assigned Mass of the Reference Atom

The carbon-12 isotope is assigned an atomic mass of exactly 12 atomic mass units. This serves as the standard from which all other atomic masses are derived.
04

Conclusion

Atomic masses are based on the carbon-12 atom, which is assigned a mass of 12 amu. This standard is internationally accepted and used for atomic mass calculations.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91影视!

Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Atomic Mass Unit
The atomic mass unit (amu) is an essential measurement used in chemistry and physics. It allows scientists to indicate the mass of an atom or a molecule in a way that's understandable and practical. Why is it so useful? The amu acts as a common scale, simplifying the complex variety of atomic and molecular masses into a single, manageable unit. This makes comparing different atoms and molecules much easier.

Here's how it works:
  • An atomic mass unit is defined as one twelfth the mass of a carbon-12 isotope.
  • This standard measurement applies universally, so all atomic masses are expressed in terms of amu.
  • It's used in molecular chemistry to compare the mass of different chemicals with ease.
By understanding amu, we can appreciate how chemists and physicists organize and discuss elements within the periodic table.
Carbon-12 Isotope
The carbon-12 isotope plays a pivotal role in determining atomic masses. It's not just any carbon atom but the most abundant and stable type. This makes it an ideal standard for scientists to use.

Important features of carbon-12 isotope include:
  • It has 6 protons and 6 neutrons in its nucleus, contributing to its total mass.
  • Its natural abundance and stability make it perfect for setting a universal standard.
  • Every atomic mass unit is based relative to carbon-12, meaning it defines the scale.
By assigning carbon-12 exactly 12 amu, scientists have a stable reference point ensuring consistency in atomic mass calculations globally.
Standard Reference Atom
The standard reference atom is a concept central to the way scientists measure atomic masses. This concept simplifies how atomic masses are perceived and calculated.

Here鈥檚 why the carbon-12 isotope is chosen as the standard reference atom:
  • It is universally accepted and recognized across the scientific community.
  • Using a single standard like carbon-12 provides consistency in measuring other elements.
  • The exact mass of 12 amu for carbon-12 forms the baseline for determining all other atomic masses.
By using a standard reference atom, scientists ensure that their work is based on a reliable and universally consistent scale, making communication and further study in chemistry much more coherent.

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Why is the symbol for the transuranic element Rutherfordium Rf instead of Ru?

What are the names of the elements with the symbols (a) \(\mathrm{N},\) (b) \(\mathrm{He},\) and \((\mathrm{c}) \mathrm{Fe} ?\)

Why can't carbon-14 dating be used for ages 50,000 years and older?

Tission was once referred to as "splitting the atom." Is this teminology correct?

In terms of a chain reaction, explain what is meant by critical mass, subcritical mass, and supercritical mass.
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Fundamentals of Physics

Read Explanation

Engineering Physics

Read Explanation

Magnetism

Read Explanation

Solid State Physics

Read Explanation

Radiation

Read Explanation

Geometrical and Physical Optics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.