ATOMIC WEIGHTS Meaning and
Definition
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Atomic weights refer to the numerical values assigned to each element in the periodic table, representing the average mass of the atoms of that element compared to a reference standard. The atomic weight is a fundamental property that helps in characterizing an element and understanding its chemical behavior.
The atomic weight takes into account the proportion of each naturally occurring isotope of an element, considering their masses and relative abundances. Isotopes are variants of an element with the same number of protons but differing numbers of neutrons within the nucleus. Since different isotopes have different masses, their contributions to the overall atomic weight can vary.
The concept of atomic weights is closely related to molar masses, which express the mass of one mole of a substance in grams. Atomic weights are essential in calculating molar masses, which are then used in various chemical calculations, such as determining amounts of substances involved in reactions.
Atomic weights are expressed as a dimensionless ratio with the reference standard, often taking carbon-12 as the standard with a value of exactly 12 atomic mass units (amu). The atomic weight of an element is typically a decimal number since it incorporates isotopic variations. The values of atomic weights are determined through precise measurements, including mass spectrometry and other analytical techniques.
Overall, atomic weights provide a quantitative measure of an element's atomic mass, enabling scientists to contribute to the understanding of the natural variation in isotopes and their impact on chemical and physical properties.
Common Misspellings for ATOMIC WEIGHTS
- ztomic weights
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- atokic weights
- atojic weights
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Etymology of ATOMIC WEIGHTS
The word "atomic weights" is derived from the combination of two terms: "atomic" and "weights".
The term "atomic" originates from the Greek word "atomos", meaning indivisible. The ancient Greek philosopher Democritus coined the concept of atoms, suggesting that matter consists of indivisible particles.
The term "weights" refers to the measure of the heaviness of an object or substance. In the context of chemistry, it refers to the mass of an atom or molecule relative to a standard unit, usually based on carbon-12.
Combining these two terms, "atomic weights" refers to the relative masses of atoms or molecules. It is a concept in chemistry that quantifies the heaviness of different elements and compounds by comparing them to a standard scale.
Similar spelling words for ATOMIC WEIGHTS
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