MadSci Network: Chemistry
Query:

Re: Atomic weight and atoimc mass

Date: Sat Jan 2 11:38:07 1999
Posted By: Nigel Barker, Head of Science, International School of Lusaka
Area of science: Chemistry
ID: 914552066.Ch
Message:

No difference whatsoever. In fact the term "atomic mass" is the more accurate, given that the units are grams per mole, and mass is the one which is measured in grams. (weight is a force and is measured in Newtons, but the units for atomic "weight" are still grams per mole!).
You will find the term atomic weight used more often in older books.
If you're wondering what a mole is, its a number for comparing quantities of particles. A bit like dozen but very very much bigger.


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