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Chapter 7: Problem 6

What particular isotope is the basis for defining the atomic mass unit and the mole?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The isotope carbon-12 (\(^{12}C\)) is the basis for defining both the atomic mass unit and the mole.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Atomic Mass Unit

An Atomic Mass Unit (amu) is a standard unit of mass that quantifies mass on an atomic or molecular scale. One atomic mass unit is defined as a twelfth of the mass of an atom of carbon-12.
02

Definition of Mole

A mole is a unit of measurement used in chemistry to express amounts of a chemical substance. It is defined as exactly 6.02214076 × 10^23 elementary entities, which may be atoms, molecules, ions, or electrons.
03

Identify the Isotope

The isotope carbon-12 (\(^{12}C\)) is the basis for defining both the atomic mass unit and the mole. The atomic mass unit is defined relative to carbon-12 and it is a standard agreed upon by scientists. Similarly, the 'molar mass' of a substance is the mass of one mole of that substance. It is measured in grams per mole, and is usually expressed in terms of the mass of carbon-12, again establishing carbon-12 as the base for the mole measurement unit.

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