Overview
Atomic mass and isotopes are fundamental concepts in chemistry that help us understand the properties and behaviors of elements. Atomic mass is not just a simple number; it reflects the average mass of an element's isotopes, which can vary in their neutron count. Isotopes play a crucial role in vari...
Key Terms
Example: The atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 amu.
Example: Carbon-12 and Carbon-14 are isotopes of carbon.
Example: The mass number of Carbon-14 is 14.
Example: The relative abundance of Carbon-12 is about 98.9%.
Example: PET scans use isotopes to visualize metabolic processes.
Example: Archaeologists use radiocarbon dating to date ancient artifacts.
Related Topics
Nuclear Chemistry
The study of the chemical and physical properties of elements that undergo nuclear reactions.
advancedPeriodic Table Trends
Understanding how atomic mass and isotopes relate to trends in the periodic table.
intermediateChemical Reactions
Exploring how atomic mass influences the behavior of elements in chemical reactions.
intermediateKey Concepts
Atomic MassIsotopesMass NumberRelative Abundance