Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

relative-atomic-mass

noun

/ˈrɛlətɪv ˈætəmɪk mæs/

Definition

The weighted average mass of an element’s atoms compared to the mass of carbon-12, accounting for the isotopic distribution of the element.

Examples

The relative atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1.008.
When calculating chemical reactions, chemists often use relative atomic mass to determine the proportions of elements involved.
Relative atomic mass is crucial in stoichiometry for predicting quantities of substances consumed and produced in reactions.

Meaning

It reflects how heavy an atom is when considered in relation to the standard carbon-12 isotope. It helps to compare the mass of different atoms on a consistent scale.