: the mass of an atom usually expressed in atomic mass units
also: atomic weight
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebHow changes in atomic mass leave clues to our climatological past. Dan Zak, Washington Post, 15 July 2019 Not only should the chemistry of the two isotopes be the same, the slight difference in atomic mass largely washes out in the watery environment of the body. Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016 How changes in atomic mass leave clues to our climatological past. Dan Zak, Washington Post, 15 July 2019 Not only should the chemistry of the two isotopes be the same, the slight difference in atomic mass largely washes out in the watery environment of the body. Jennifer Ouellette, Quanta Magazine, 2 Nov. 2016 Say, for example, that all of the gases and particles collected indicate the fission products are 6.2 percent atoms with an atomic mass of 137, 6.1 percent with 99, and so on. Andrew Karam, Popular Mechanics, 7 Jan. 2016 Some have theorized that the soda got its name from the atomic mass of lithium, which is roughly seven. Beth Mole, Ars Technica, 22 Sep. 2017 See More
Word History
First Known Use
1874, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
atomic mass
noun
: the mass of an atom usually expressed in atomic mass units