Question

Explain the need for a reference atom for atomic mass. Give some information about two reference atoms.

Answer 1

Atomic mass is the sum of electron and neutron in the atoms. Atomic number gives the number of electrons So, to determine the atomic number the reference of atom is needed.

If we do not take the reference atom for atomic mass, then the mass values will be more complex to memorize.

The carbon atom is one of the reference atom. The relative mass a carbon atom was accepted as 12.