Atomic mass unit

An Atomic Mass Unit (amu) is a standard unit used to measure the mass of atoms and subatomic particles. It is defined as one twelfth the mass of a carbon-12 atom, which is a common isotope of carbon. This unit helps scientists compare the masses of different atoms in a manageable way. For example, hydrogen has a mass of about 1 amu, while oxygen is about 16 amu. Using amu makes it easier to understand and calculate the properties of matter at the atomic level, which is essential in chemistry and physics.