Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
atomic mass
noun
/əˈtɒmɪk mæs/
Definition
Atomic mass is the weighted average mass of an atom’s isotopes, measured in atomic mass units (amu).
Examples
- The atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1.008 amu.
- Understanding atomic mass is crucial for calculations in chemistry and physics.
Meaning
It reflects the mass of an atom relative to the mass of carbon-12, which is assigned a mass of exactly 12 amu.
Synonyms
- relative atomic mass
- atomic weight
