General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications (10th Edition)

Published by Pearson Prentice Hal
ISBN 10: 0132064529
ISBN 13: 978-0-13206-452-1

Chapter 2 - Atoms and the Atomic Theory - Exercises - Atomic Mass Units, Atomic Masses - Page 63: 42

Answer

It is highly unlikely that any other naturally occurring atom besides carbon-12 would have an exact integral mass, expressed in unified atomic mass units (u).

Work Step by Step

Atomic masses are based on the average mass of isotopes: Most elements have multiple isotopes, which are atoms with the same number of protons but different numbers of neutrons. The atomic mass of an element is based on the weighted average of the masses of its isotopes, taking into account their natural abundance. Therefore, it is unlikely that the average mass of all isotopes of an element would be a whole number.
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