The atomic mass of an element approximately equals the number of
A) electrons.
B) protons plus neutrons.
C) neutrons.
D) protons.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The atomic mass of an element is the total number of protons and neutrons in the nucleus of the atom. Electrons have a negligible mass compared to protons and neutrons, so they do not significantly impact the atomic mass. Neutrons and protons are roughly equal in mass, so the sum of the number of protons and neutrons provides a good estimate for the atomic mass.

The Atomic Mass of an Element Approximately Equals the Number