Question

Which of the following best explains why the atomic mass is a fraction between 72 and 73? Options: A. The atomic mass is the weighted average of all the naturally occurring isotopes of the element. B. The atomic mass is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. C. The atomic mass is a whole number, but it appears as a fraction due to rounding in the periodic table. D. The atomic mass is a decimal number because it represents the total number of electrons in the atom.

Answer 1

The atomic mass is the weighted average of all the naturally occurring isotopes of the element.

Step-by-step explanation:

A. The atomic mass is the weighted average of all the naturally occurring isotopes of the element. YES. Since there can be several different isotopes of the same element, the weighted average is used in the periodic table to reflect the likely composition of a random sample.

B. The atomic mass is determined by the number of protons in the nucleus. NO

C. The atomic mass is a whole number, but it appears as a fraction due to rounding in the periodic table. NO.

D. The atomic mass is a decimal number because it represents the total number of electrons in the atom. NO.