Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
relative atomic mass
Noun
/ˈrɛlətɪv ˈætəmɪk mæs/
Definition
The relative atomic mass of an element is a measure of the mass of its atoms compared to the mass of carbon-12.
Examples
- The relative atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1.01.
- Different isotopes of an element can have different relative atomic masses.
- When calculating molecular weights, knowing the relative atomic mass is essential.
Meaning
Relative atomic mass reflects how heavy an atom is when compared to the standard carbon isotope.
Synonyms
- Atomic weight
- Relative atomic weight
