What is the Difference Between Atomic Mass Unit and Atomic Mass?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The difference between atomic mass unit (AMU) and atomic mass lies in their definition and measurement:
- Atomic Mass Unit (AMU): It is the unit of measurement for atomic mass. One AMU is defined as one-twelfth the mass of an atom of carbon-12 (12C). AMU is also known as the dalton (Da) or unified atomic mass unit (u). It is used to express both atomic masses and molecular masses.
- Atomic Mass: It is the mass of a specific atom, reflecting the sum of the number of protons and neutrons in the atom's nucleus. Atomic mass is expressed in AMU or Da. For example, the atomic mass of carbon-12 is 12 AMU, as it has six protons and six neutrons in its nucleus.
In summary, AMU is the unit used to measure atomic mass, while atomic mass refers to the actual mass of an atom, expressed in AMU.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Atomic Mass Unit and Atomic Mass? Comparative Table: Atomic Mass Unit vs Atomic Mass
Comparative Table: Atomic Mass Unit vs Atomic Mass
The difference between atomic mass unit (AMU) and atomic mass lies in their definition and expression:
| Atomic Mass Unit (AMU) | Atomic Mass |
|---|---|
| A unit of mass, equivalent to $$1.67377 \times 10^{-27}$$ kilograms or $$1.67377 \times 10^{-24}$$ grams | The total number of neutrons and protons in an atom, expressed in AMU or Da |
| Used to measure the mass of individual atoms and molecules | Used to indicate the mass of an atom, depending on the number of protons and neutrons in a particular element |
| Cannot be directly converted to grams, as it is a unit of mass | Can be converted to grams by multiplying by a constant factor |
In summary, the atomic mass unit (AMU) is a unit of mass used to measure the mass of individual atoms and molecules, while atomic mass represents the total number of neutrons and protons in an atom, expressed in AMU or Da. Atomic mass can be converted to grams, whereas AMU cannot.
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- Atom vs Molecule
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- Monoisotopic Mass vs Average Mass
- Molecule vs Atom