(a) Define atomic mass unit. What is its symbol?
(b) Define atomic mass of an element.
(c) What is meant by saying that 'the atomic mass of oxygen is 16'?

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Solution

(a) Atomic mass unit is a unit of mass used to express atomic and molecular weights. 1 atomic mass unit is equal to one-twelfth of the mass of an atom of carbon-12. It is usually expressed as "amu".

(b) The atomic mass of an element is defined as the total number of protons and neutrons present in the nucleus of an atom.

(c) The atomic mass of oxygen is 16 which means that the total number of protons and neutrons present in oxygen are 16.

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Similar questions

(a) Define atomic mass unit. What is its symbol ?

(b) Define atomic mass of an element.

(a) What is meant by (i) atomic number, and (ii) mass number, of an element? Explain with the help of an example.

(b) What is the relation between the atomic number and mass number of an element?

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