0
The Atomic Mass of an isotope of an element is the mass of the nucleons (neutrons + protons) in an atom of that isotope. This is nearly, though not exactly, equal to the number of nucleons, and so is nearly a whole number.
The main cause for the atomic mass being fractional is that most elements have numerous isotopes, each with a different number of neutrons and so a different atomic mass. The atomic mass for an element is the average of the atomic masses of all its isotopes, weighted together in the proportion of the isotopes' abundance on earth. It is this weighting together that results in the numbers being fractional.
Still curious? Ask our experts.
Chat with our AI personalities
Maxine
Rafa
BlakeAdd your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Can a mode be a decimal?
A mode can be a decimal only if that decimal appears most frequently in the set.
What is the two decimal places of relative atomic mass and the molar mass of the element potassium K?
It is 39.10
What To two decimal places what is the relative atomic mass and the molar mass of the element potassium K?
It is 38.96
What is a decimal number?
A decimal number is one way of representing numbers where each place for a digit has a place value that is ten times that of the place to its right. Most all the numbers that you familiar with (judging from your question) will be decimal numbers. A decimal number need not be a [decimal] fraction.
Could diagram is the most helpful for converting fractions to decimal?
No, it is not.
