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It is not usually a whole number. It would appear that you have been misinformed.

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Q: Why is atomic mass usually a whole number?
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Why is the atomic mass number not a whole number?

We can find Atomic Mass and mass number in chemical elements. Atomic mass is about weight of the atom. Mass number is about total of neutrons and protons.


Why is the atomic mass of an element not usually given as a whole number even though each individual atom of the element has a whole number of protons and neutrons?

It's because of electrons, they have a relative mass of 1/1836


How do you get the atomic mass and and atomic number?

it is simple. all you need to do is look in the periodic table the numbers above and under the letter.Atomic number is determined from the number of protons in the nucleus. Atomic mass is determined from the number of protons AND neutrons in the nucleus. Since elements have multiple isotopes with differing numbers of neutrons, the atomic mass reported on periodic charts is usually the average atomic mass. As the first person who answered this question pointed out, you can usually find the atomic number by looking for a number above the atomic symbol for the element in the the table (H for hydrogen, C for carbon, Fe for Iron, Au for gold, etc.). Sometimes the number will be below the symbol but in bold font. When the periodic table gives an atomic mass, it is usually given under the atomic symbol and is almost always some kind of decimal number that is always greater than the atomic number, for example: Carbon has an atomic number of 6and an atomic mass of 12.0107 amu.


What is the relationship btw atomic mass and atomic mass number?

We can find atomic mass and mass number in chemical elements. Atomic mass is about weight of the atom. Mass number is about total of neutrons and protons.


What is Carbon-12 atomic mass?

12. The number 12 refers to the atomic mass. More precisely, to the sum of neutrons + protons; but this is usually close to the atomic mass. In the case of carbon-12, it is exact, by definition.