Question

How is the atomic mass of an element different from the actual mass of an atom

Answer 1

Difference between mass of an element and actual mass of an atom:

Atomic mass is also known as atomic weight. Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an atom of an element based on the relative natural abundance of that element's isotopes. The mass number is a count of the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.

Explanation:

Atomic mass of element:

• An atomic mass (symbol: ma) is the mass of a single atom of a chemical element.
• It includes the masses of the 3 subatomic particles that make up an atom: protons, neutrons and electrons. Atomic mass can be expressed in grams.

Actual mass of an atom:

• Atomic mass is defined as the number of protons and neutrons in an atom, where each proton and neutron has a mass of approximately 1 amu (1.0073 and 1.0087, respectively).
• The electrons within an atom are so miniscule compared to protons and neutrons that their mass is negligible.

Answer 2

Answer:

☑ Atomic mass is also known as atomic weight. Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an atom of an element based on the relative natural abundance of that element's isotopes. The mass number is a count of the total number of protons and neutrons in an atom's nucleus.