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Lesson: Chapter 7 — Quantification of Elements and Compounds

7.1. Relative atomic mass 8 of 12

Question 8

Why is the relative atomic mass of chlorine 35.5 rather than a whole number?

The right answer is the one marked above.

Because natural chlorine is a mixture of isotopes of different masses. 35.5 is the average of that mixture.

There is no such thing as half a neutron — a nucleus holds whole particles only. The average is not a whole number because of the proportions in the mixture.

Answer the question to continue.