Explain why, the atomic masses of many elements are in fractions and not whole numbers.
Explain why, the atomic masses of many elements are in fractions and not whole numbers.
The atomic masses of many elements are in fractions and not whole numbers because each element has various isotopes that are present in nature, and the atomic mass is an average of all of these isotope weights.
The mass of an atom of any natural element is taken as the average mass of all the naturally-occurring atoms of that element. If an element has no isotopes, then the mass of its atom would be the same as the sum of the protons and neutrons in it. But if an element occurs in isotopic forms, then we have to know the percentage of each isotopic form and then calculate the average mass.
For example,
Naturally occuring chlorine is 75% Cl35 which and 25% Cl37
Therefore, the masses of certain elements are in fractions and not whole numbers.
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The atomic masses of many elements are in fractions and not whole numbers because each element has various isotopes that are present in nature, and the atomic mass is an average of all of these isotope weights.
The mass of an atom of any natural element is taken as the average mass of all the naturally-occurring atoms of that element. If an element has no isotopes, then the mass of its atom would be the same as the sum of the protons and neutrons in it. But if an element occurs in isotopic forms, then we have to know the percentage of each isotopic form and then calculate the average mass.
For example,
Naturally occuring chlorine is 75% Cl35 which and 25% Cl37
Therefore, the masses of certain elements are in fractions and not whole numbers.
.
