Atomic Mass

Atomic mass is the average mass of an atom of an element, measured in atomic mass units (amu). It reflects the number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus, as these particles contribute most of the atom's weight. Since atoms can have variants called isotopes, which have different numbers of neutrons, the atomic mass is a weighted average of all the isotopes of an element found in nature. For example, carbon has an atomic mass around 12 amu, accounting for its most common isotopes. This measurement is essential for understanding chemical reactions and the behavior of elements.