what is an atomic mass unit? What are the approximate masses of the subatomic particles, expressed in atomic mass units?
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An atomic mass unit (amu) is a unit that is used to express the mass of atomic and subatomic particles. It is defined as 1/12th the mass of a carbon-12 atom.
To find the approximate masses of subatomic particles in atomic mass units, you can refer to the periodic table. The periodic table provides the average atomic mass of each element, which takes into account the masses and relative abundance of different isotopes of the element.
The approximate masses of subatomic particles in atomic mass units are as follows:
1. Proton: The mass of a proton is approximately 1.007 amu.
2. Neutron: The mass of a neutron is also approximately 1.007 amu.
3. Electron: The mass of an electron is much smaller compared to protons and neutrons. For convenience, it is considered to have a mass of approximately 0.0005 amu, although it is actually about 1/1836th the mass of a proton or neutron.
These values may vary slightly depending on the specific isotope or element being considered.