What is the standard unit used to express the mass of protons and neutrons?

Prepare for your NMAT Chemistry Test. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each offering detailed solutions and explanations. Excel in your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

What is the standard unit used to express the mass of protons and neutrons?

Explanation:
Masses of protons and neutrons are extremely small, so a specialized unit is used to keep the numbers convenient. The atomic mass unit is defined as 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom, which makes the mass of a proton about 1.007 amu and a neutron about 1.009 amu. This scale keeps nucleon masses near unity, rather than dealing with numbers like 10^-27 kilograms. It also ties directly to how we relate atomic masses to molar masses, since 1 amu is roughly 1.66×10^-27 kg. The term Dalton is essentially the same unit, but the standard expression for these particles is the atomic mass unit.

Masses of protons and neutrons are extremely small, so a specialized unit is used to keep the numbers convenient. The atomic mass unit is defined as 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom, which makes the mass of a proton about 1.007 amu and a neutron about 1.009 amu. This scale keeps nucleon masses near unity, rather than dealing with numbers like 10^-27 kilograms. It also ties directly to how we relate atomic masses to molar masses, since 1 amu is roughly 1.66×10^-27 kg. The term Dalton is essentially the same unit, but the standard expression for these particles is the atomic mass unit.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy