Chemistry
Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN: 9781305957404
Author: Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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### Understanding the Difference Between Average Atomic Mass and Mass Number

The question explores how average atomic mass and mass number differ:

**Question 16**: Average atomic mass is different from mass number because . . .

- **A.** The average atomic mass describes the mass number of a single atom, but mass number describes the average of all exact masses among isotopes of an element.

- **B.** Mass number describes the approximate mass of the nucleus of a single atom, but average atomic mass describes the weighted average of all the exact masses among isotopes of an element.

- **C.** Mass number describes the exact mass of a single atom, but average atomic mass describes the average of all mass numbers.

- **D.** Mass number describes the approximate mass of the nucleus of a single atom, but average atomic mass describes the largest mass among isotopes of an element.

**Explanation**:
- The **mass number** specifically refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of a single atom, often rounded to the nearest whole number.
- The **average atomic mass** considers the average of all isotopes' masses, weighted by their natural abundance.

**Correct Choice: B** - This option accurately reflects that while the mass number refers to a single nucleus's protons and neutrons, average atomic mass is a weighted average of all isotopes' exact masses.
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Transcribed Image Text:### Understanding the Difference Between Average Atomic Mass and Mass Number The question explores how average atomic mass and mass number differ: **Question 16**: Average atomic mass is different from mass number because . . . - **A.** The average atomic mass describes the mass number of a single atom, but mass number describes the average of all exact masses among isotopes of an element. - **B.** Mass number describes the approximate mass of the nucleus of a single atom, but average atomic mass describes the weighted average of all the exact masses among isotopes of an element. - **C.** Mass number describes the exact mass of a single atom, but average atomic mass describes the average of all mass numbers. - **D.** Mass number describes the approximate mass of the nucleus of a single atom, but average atomic mass describes the largest mass among isotopes of an element. **Explanation**: - The **mass number** specifically refers to the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of a single atom, often rounded to the nearest whole number. - The **average atomic mass** considers the average of all isotopes' masses, weighted by their natural abundance. **Correct Choice: B** - This option accurately reflects that while the mass number refers to a single nucleus's protons and neutrons, average atomic mass is a weighted average of all isotopes' exact masses.
Expert Solution
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Step 1

The atomic number of an atom is the number of protons present in the atom. For a neutral atom, the number of electrons is also the same as the atomic number. Hence, we can say that:

Atomic number = number of protons = number of electrons

The mass number of the atom is the sum of the protons and neutrons present in the atom.

The mass number is = number of protons + number of neutrons

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