Questions: The atomic mass number is a whole number and indicates a specific isotope of an element.
True
False
Transcript text: The atomic mass number is a whole number and indicates a specific isotope of an element.
True
False
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understanding Atomic Mass Number
The atomic mass number, also known as the mass number, is the total number of protons and neutrons in an atomic nucleus. It is always a whole number because protons and neutrons are discrete particles.
Step 2: Relation to Isotopes
An isotope of an element is defined by its number of protons (which is the same for all isotopes of an element) and its number of neutrons (which can vary among isotopes). Therefore, the atomic mass number is specific to a particular isotope of an element, as it reflects the total number of protons and neutrons in that isotope.