1.

Explain the need for a reference atom for atomic mass. Give some information about two reference atoms.

Answer»
  • The mass of an atom is concentrated in its nucleus and it is due to the protons (p) and neutrons (n) in it.
  • Since an atom is very very tiny, it was not possible to measure atomic mass accurately. Therefore, the concept of relative mass of an atom was formed.
  • To express relative mass of an atom, reference of atom is considered. The two reference atoms were as follows:

(a) Hydrogen (H) atom: The hydrogen atom is the lightest. The relative mass of a hydrogen atom is 1 which has only 1 proton in its nucleus. On this scale, the relative atomic mass of many elements comes out to be fractional. Therefore, carbon was selected as a reference atom.

(b) Carbon (C) atom: The carbon atom is selected as reference atom. In this scale, the relative mass of a carbon atom is accepted as 12.

  • The relative atomic mass of 1 hydrogen (H) atom compared to the carbon (C) atom becomes


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