As total number of nucleons in nucleus is equal to mass number. And is also called atomic mass number. I want to know that is there any difference between the two? Because in nuclear reactions mass number differs from atomic mass and the difference between two provides binding energy.

Rigoberto Drake

Rigoberto Drake

Answered question

2022-11-20

As total number of nucleons in nucleus is equal to mass number. And is also called atomic mass number. I want to know that is there any difference between the two? Because in nuclear reactions mass number differs from atomic mass and the difference between two provides binding energy.

Answer & Explanation

Milton Gilmore

Milton Gilmore

Beginner2022-11-21Added 20 answers

The mass number is the number of nucleons (protons and neutrons) in the nucleus of an atom.
For example 6 12 C has a mass number of 12 as it has 6 protons and 6 neutrons in its nucleus and 17 35 C l has a mass number of 35 as it has 17 protons and 18 neutrons in its nucleus.
The atomic mass of an atom is the mass of the atom in atomic mass units.
The atomic mass of a 6 12 C atom is defined as being 12 atomic mass units.
The atomic mass of a 17 35 C l atom is 34.96885268 atomic mass units ie a 17 35 C l atom is 34.96885268 12 heavier than a 6 12 C atom.
Note that the atomic mass is approximately equal to the mass number.
There is a third quantity which you should be aware of which is used by Chemists and that is the (standard) atomic weight.
The unit is again the atomic mass unit but it is the average atomic mass of the different types of atoms (isotppes) of which an element is composed.
For example in nature carbon exists as the isotopes 6 12 C , 6 13 C and 6 14 C and so you will see the atomic weight of carbon listed as 12.011 to reflect the fact that natural carbon is 75 % 6 12 C , 24 % 6 13 C with a trace of 6 14 C.
However the isotopic composition of Carbon may vary and so you will also see the standard atomic weight listed as a range of values such as [ 12.0096 12.0116 ] when greater accuracy is required.

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