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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.

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Q: Why mass number of are always whole number?
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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.


Why atomic mass is always a whole number but atomic weight may be a decimal number?

Atomic mass is the total mass of protons and neutrons in an atom, which are whole numbers. Atomic weight, on the other hand, takes into account the abundance of different isotopes of an element, which can result in a weighted average that may be a decimal number.


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.


What whole number will an even number always divide by?

what whole number will 8 always divide by?


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.


Do all isotopes have whole number atomic masses?

No, not all isotopes have whole number atomic masses. Isotopes are variations of an element with different numbers of neutrons, so their atomic masses can differ slightly from whole numbers due to the weighted average of the masses of the isotopes present in a natural sample.


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.