What is Atomic Mass Unit? (AMU or Dalton)

Question: What is the atomic mass unit (AMU)?

1. A unit of mass equal to 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom
2. A unit of mass equal to the mass of a proton
3. A unit of mass equal to the mass of a neutron
4. A unit of mass equal to the mass of an electron

Answer: (A)

What is Atomic Mass Unit Solution:

The atomic mass unit (AMU), also known as the Dalton, is a unit of mass equal to 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom. The carbon-12 atom is the most abundant isotope of carbon, and it is used as the standard for measuring atomic masses. One AMU is equal to 1.660538921 × 10⁻²⁴ grams.

Significance:

• The use of atomic mass units provides a convenient way to compare the relative masses of different atoms and molecules. It simplifies calculations and allows chemists to work with manageable numbers.

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