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 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 (u)
• \( \%\ Abundance \) — Natural abundance percentage of each isotope
• \( \sum \) — Summation of all isotope contributions

Explanation: The formula calculates a weighted average where more abundant isotopes contribute more significantly to the overall atomic mass.

3. Importance of Atomic Mass Calculation

Details: Atomic mass is crucial for chemical calculations, stoichiometry, determining molecular weights, and understanding chemical reactions and properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter isotope masses in atomic mass units (u) and abundances as percentages. Ensure the sum of abundances equals 100% for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between atomic mass and atomic weight?
A: Atomic mass refers to the mass of a single atom, while atomic weight is the weighted average mass of all naturally occurring isotopes.

Q2: Why is atomic mass not a whole number?
A: Atomic mass is a weighted average of different isotopes with different masses, resulting in decimal values rather than whole numbers.

Q3: How many isotopes can I calculate for?
A: This calculator handles two isotopes, but the formula can be extended to any number of isotopes by summing all contributions.

Q4: What are atomic mass units (u)?
A: Atomic mass unit is defined as 1/12th the mass of a carbon-12 atom, approximately 1.660539 × 10⁻²⁷ kilograms.

Q5: Why do we use weighted averages for atomic mass?
A: Weighted averages account for the natural abundance of each isotope, providing a more accurate representation of the element's mass as it occurs in nature.