1. What is Atomic Mass?

Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of all naturally occurring isotopes of an element, taking into account their relative abundances. It represents the average mass of atoms in a given sample of the element.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the atomic mass formula:

Where:

• Isotope Mass — Mass of each isotope in atomic mass units (amu)
• Isotope Abundance — Relative abundance of each isotope as a percentage
• The sum of all isotope abundances must equal 100%

Explanation: The calculation weights each isotope's mass by its natural abundance to determine the average atomic mass of the element.

3. Importance of Atomic Mass Calculation

Details: Atomic mass is fundamental in chemistry for stoichiometric calculations, determining molecular weights, and understanding chemical reactions and properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter isotope masses in amu and abundances as percentages. At least two isotopes are required, with optional third isotope. Total abundance must equal 100%.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why is atomic mass not a whole number?
A: Atomic mass is a weighted average of different isotopes, each with slightly different masses due to varying numbers of neutrons.

Q2: What is the difference between atomic mass and mass number?
A: Mass number is the total number of protons and neutrons in a specific isotope, while atomic mass is the weighted average of all isotopes.

Q3: How accurate are atomic mass calculations?
A: Very accurate when using precise isotope masses and abundances. The calculator provides results to 4 decimal places.

Q4: Can I calculate atomic mass for elements with more than 3 isotopes?
A: This calculator supports up to 3 isotopes. For elements with more isotopes, additional calculations would be needed.

Q5: Why must abundances sum to 100%?
A: The relative abundances represent the percentage composition of all isotopes in a natural sample, so they must total 100%.