0
The main reason is that many elements exist in several isotopic forms. These are atoms with the same number of protons and electrons but different numbers of neutrons. Since the Atomic Mass is essentially based on the number of protons and neutrons in each atom, the element will exist in several forms with different masses. The atomic mass is the average of the masses of these isotopes, weighted together according to their abundance.
Wiki User
∙ 6y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Why are mass numbers whole numbers?
mass numbers are whole numbers because the mass number is number of protons in an atom, plus the number of neutrons. you can only have a whole neutron and or proton, therefore, all mass numbers are whole numbers.
The product of two whole numbers is always whole number?
Yes always
Why is an integer always a whole number?
An integer is not always a whole number because whole numbers are numbers 0 and up. Integers are numbers above and below 0. (Including negatives.) So therefore, if an integer is a negative, it would not be a whole number. But a whole number is always an integer.
Why at atomic number not whole number in most case?
The question is based on an ignorance of what an atomic number is. It represents the number of protons in an atom of the element and is always, ALWAYS a whole number.
The sum of two whole numbers is always a whole number?
Yes, it is.
Why atomic mass is always a whole number but atomic weight may be a decimal number?
Atomic mass of isotopes is not a whole number.
Is the atomic mass of an element is always a whole number of atomic mass untis?
No.
Is 40.08 the atomic number?
No. Atomic number is always a whole number. This would be the atomic mass.
Do all isotopes have whole number atomic masses?
The short answer is yes. The long answer is that isotopes have different numbers of neutrons than other isotopes of the same element, so when expressing the mass of an isotope, you don't take an average; you just add the number of neutrons and the number of protons. However, that number is not entirely accurate since the mass of a proton and a neutron are very slightly different. So, if you want to be very exact, then no, the mass of an isotope is not a whole number, but it is very, very close.
What is molar mass a whole number multiple of?
Molar mass is a whole number multiple of the Empirical formula mass
Why are mass numbers whole numbers?
mass numbers are whole numbers because the mass number is number of protons in an atom, plus the number of neutrons. you can only have a whole neutron and or proton, therefore, all mass numbers are whole numbers.
Can mass only be a whole number?
No, it cannot. A whole number is a quantity without units - a pure number. A mass of 1 pound is a whole number of pounds but it is 0.45359 kilograms: not a whole number, or 453.59 grams, again not a whole number.
What whole number will an even number always divide by?
what whole number will 8 always divide by?
What is the nearest whole number of atomic mass of potassium?
The nearest Whole number of atomic mass of potassium is 69
Does the mass number of an element have to be a whole number?
Approximately, yes. But the mass number is an average of the masses of the isotopes of the element, weighted together according to their abundance. This averaging of different whole numbers results in the mass number not being a whole number.
Is the difference of 2 whole numbers always a whole number?
Yes, the difference of two whole numbers is always a whole number.
What is an element's atomic mass not listed as a whole number on the periodic table?
Few elements have isotopes. their atomic mass is not a whole number.
