Page 1 - 3. LESSON NOTES-(ATOMIC AND RELATIVE ATOMIC MASSES)
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SAI International School
Class-IX
Subject- Chemistry
Topic-Atoms and Molecules
SubTopic-Atomic and Relative atomic masses
LESSON NOTE
Recapitulation:
Atoms: These are the smallest particle of matter which may or may not have an
independent existence and take part in chemical reactions.
Molecules: These are the smallest particle of matter which can exist
independently.
Size of an atom: The atoms are extremely small particles and their size is
measured in terms of atomic radius. Atomic radius is measured in nanometres.
Atomic radii of hydrogen atom = 1 × 10 –10 m.
Atomic mass: Since the atoms are extremely small particles their masses are
extremely small numbers.
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Therefore, the masses of atoms are compared with 1/12 of the mass of one
atom of C-12 which is taken as a standard and it is known as Relative Atomic
Mass. The relative atomic masses of all elements have been established with
reverence to an atom of carbon-12. It is measured in unit called amu (atomic
mass unit) which is also known as unified mass(u). 1/12 of the mass of one
atom of carbon is termed as relative atomic mass. It does not possess a unit.
Mathematically,
Mass of one atom of an element = atomic mass X (1/12th) of the mass of one
atom of carbon.
Or
Atomic mass = mass of one atom of an element / (1/12th) of the mass of one
atom of carbon.
Atomic masses of some common elements:
ELEMENT ATOMIC MASS (in amu or u)
Hydrogen 1
Carbon 12
Nitrogen 14
Oxygen 16
Fluorine 19
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