RELATIVE ATOMIC MASS Atom is very tiny. Impossible to determine atoms mass by weighing.

Chemists compare the mass of atom with a standard atom. RAM (Ar) : mass of atom when compared to a standard atom : not actual mass of the atom, only a comparison value , so has no unit RAM based on Hydrogen atom (In 19-century) Initially, chemist has chosen hydrogen atom as standard atom because: it is the lightest (that RAM of hydrogen atom was assigned 1 unit) However, later date Carbon was used as standard atom because: Not many elements can reacts with hydrogen or displace hydrogen (relatives masses of these elements cannot be determined) Hydrogen exists as a gas at room temperature, so it is difficult to handle.

RAM bases on Carbon-12 In 1961, carbon-12 was chosen as the new standard. Carbon was chosen for few reasons: - Carbon-12 is the abundant carbon isotope - Carbon-12 exist as a solid at room temperature and thus can be handled easily - Carbon-12 was already used as the references standard in mass spectrometers - Many elements can combine with carbon-12 Definition of RAM based on carbon-12: - The average mass of one atom of the element when compared with one twelfth of the mass of carbon-12 atom Periodic Table of elements: RAM based on carbon -12 Example: RAM of sodium = 23 Definition: The average mass of one sodium atom is 23 times more than the mass of one twelfth of a carbon-12 atom. Example : Determine the ratio of the actual masses of atom (compare RAM of different atoms)

RELATIVE MOLECULAR MASS (Mr) Definition: Average mass of a molecule of the substance when compared with one twelfth of the mass of one carbon-12 atom. Example: Mr of water is 18 Definition: The average mass of one molecule of water is 18 times more than the mass of one twelfth of a carbon-12 atom Molecule is made up of a number of atoms. So, the Mr is calculated by adding up the Ar of all the atoms present in a molecule of the substance.

*Essential to know molecular formula of the substances first. Term RMM : only used for substances that are made up of molecules Relative formula mass (Fr): used for ionic compound

Knowing the Mr or Fr, Ar of any unknown elements in the compound can be calculated.