Atomic mass constant
Fundamental physical constant
[[File:Script error: No such module "InfoboxImage".|frameless|alt=]]
Other names | |
---|---|
Common symbols | |
SI unit | |
Other units | |
In SI base units | |
Extensive? | |
Intensive? | |
Conserved? | |
Behaviour under coord transformation | |
Derivations from other quantities |
The atomic mass constant, denoted by the symbol mu, is a fundamental physical constant that is used to express the masses of atoms and molecules. It is defined as one twelfth of the mass of an unbound neutral atom of carbon-12 in its nuclear and electronic ground state, and it is approximately equal to 1.66053906660(50) × 10−27 kilograms.
Definition[edit | edit source]
The atomic mass constant is defined as:
- mu = \( \frac{1}{12} \) m(\text{C}12)
where m(\text{C}12) is the mass of a carbon-12 atom. This definition ensures that the atomic mass of carbon-12 is exactly 12 atomic mass units (u).
Importance in Chemistry and Physics[edit | edit source]
The atomic mass constant is crucial in the fields of chemistry and physics because it provides a standard for expressing atomic and molecular masses. It allows scientists to compare the masses of different atoms and molecules on a relative scale, known as the atomic mass unit (amu) or dalton (Da).
Relationship with Avogadro's Number[edit | edit source]
The atomic mass constant is related to Avogadro's number (NA), which is the number of atoms in one mole of a substance. The relationship is given by:
- mu = \( \frac{M}{N_A} \)
where M is the molar mass of a substance. This relationship is fundamental in converting between the macroscopic scale of grams and the microscopic scale of atomic mass units.
Applications[edit | edit source]
The atomic mass constant is used in various applications, including:
- Determining the molecular mass of compounds.
- Calculating the binding energy of nuclei.
- Understanding the isotopic composition of elements.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD