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Relative Atomic Mass

Relative atomic mass (Ar) is the average mass of an element compared to one-twelfth the mass of a single carbon-12 atom.

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

  • 1amu is defined as one-twelfth of the mass of a single carbon-12 atom.
  • So Ar is the average mass of an element in units of amu.
What is the average mass?

What is the average mass?

  • Almost every element has multiple stable isotopes.
    • This means that some atoms of an element will weigh more than others.
  • The average mass is the average of the masses of the elements, weighted according to their abundance.
    • E.g. 35Cl is 75% abundant and 37Cl is 25% abundant.
      • Ar = (0.75 × 35) + (0.25 × 37) = 35.5

Relative Molecular Mass

Relative molecular mass (Mr) is the average mass of a molecule compared to one-twelfth the mass of a single carbon-12 atom.

What does this mean?

What does this mean?

  • 1amu is defined as one-twelfth of the mass of a single carbon-12 atom.
  • So Mr is the average mass of a molecule in the units of amu.
What is the average mass?

What is the average mass?

  • Recall that the Ar takes into account the differences in mass and abundance of isotopes.
  • This means that we can simply add the Ar values for all the atoms in a molecule to calculate the Mr!
Jump to other topics
1

Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter

2

Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure

3

Structure - Classification of Matter

3.1

The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements

3.2

Periodic Trends

3.3

Group 1 Alkali Metals

3.4

Halogens

3.5

Noble gases, group 18

3.6

Functional Groups: Classification of Organic

3.7

Functional Group Chemistry

3.8

Alkanes

3.9

Alcohols

3.10

Halogenoalkanes

4

Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?

5

Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?

6

Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change

7

Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis

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