The masses of sub-atomic particles are usually measured in
The masses of sub-atomic particles are usually measured in
atomic mass units
kilograms
grams
ounces
atomic mass units
The masses of sub-atomic particles are usually measured in atomic mass units (AMU).
The masses of sub-atomic particles are usually measured in atomic mass units (amu).
To understand why this unit is used, we need to understand the concept of atomic mass. Atomic mass is a measure of the mass of an atom, including both its protons and neutrons. Since sub-atomic particles, such as protons, neutrons, and electrons, are much smaller than atoms, their individual masses are usually expressed relative to the mass of a specific atom.
One atomic mass unit (amu) is defined as 1/12th the mass of a carbon-12 atom. This means that the mass of a proton or a neutron is approximately 1 amu. Electrons, on the other hand, have such a small mass relative to protons and neutrons that their mass is usually considered negligible.
Using atomic mass units allows scientists to compare the masses of different sub-atomic particles without worrying about large or small decimal values. It provides a convenient and standardized unit for expressing these masses in various contexts, including scientific research and calculations.
So, to answer the question, the masses of sub-atomic particles are usually measured in atomic mass units (amu).