The atomic number of an element is more important to a chemist than its relative atomic mass because:
Atomic number remains constant
The atomic number of an element remains constant for all isotopes of an element while the atomic mass changes with each isotope.
Atomic number determines electron configuration
The atomic number determines the electron configuration of the atom, and the electron configuration determines most of the chemical properties.
Atomic number is unique to each element
Each element has only one atomic number, while an element can have dozens of atomic masses.
Atomic number increases by one
Atomic number increases by one in going from one element to the next, but atomic mass does not vary regularly from element to element.
Atomic number is a better means for identifying an element
The atomic number is a better means for identifying an element than atomic mass because the atomic number of the element remains constant while the atomic mass can vary.
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Answer:
The atomic number of an element is more important to a chemist than its relative atomic mass because:
Atomic number remains constant
The atomic number of an element remains constant for all isotopes of an element while the atomic mass changes with each isotope.
Atomic number determines electron configuration
The atomic number determines the electron configuration of the atom, and the electron configuration determines most of the chemical properties.
Atomic number is unique to each element
Each element has only one atomic number, while an element can have dozens of atomic masses.
Atomic number increases by one
Atomic number increases by one in going from one element to the next, but atomic mass does not vary regularly from element to element.
Atomic number is a better means for identifying an element
The atomic number is a better means for identifying an element than atomic mass because the atomic number of the element remains constant while the atomic mass can vary.