Question

How does the mass of the electron compare to the masses of the proton and neutron?

Answer 1

The mass of an electron is about 1836 times less than that of a proton or a neutron, meaning protons and neutrons contribute the most to an atom's mass. Electrons are significantly lighter and do not significantly contribute to the atomic mass.

Step-by-step explanation:

When comparing the mass of an electron to that of protons and neutrons, we observe that electrons are significantly lighter in mass. A proton has a mass of approximately 1.0073 atomic mass units (amu), while a neutron is a bit heavier with a mass of about 1.0087 amu. In contrast, an electron has a mass of roughly 0.00055 amu. This means that the mass of a proton or a neutron is about 1836 times greater than that of an electron. Consequently, protons and neutrons account for nearly all of an atom's mass, with the mass of electrons being almost negligible in comparison.

Electrons and protons also have electrical charges that are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign, with electrons having a charge of -1 and protons a charge of +1. Neutrons, on the other hand, are electrically neutral and do not bear any charge. Despite their small mass, electrons play a critical role in defining the chemical properties of atoms due to their negative charge and involvement in chemical bonds.

Answer 2

The mass of protons and neutrons are both 1 amu (atomic mass unit). The mass of the electron is 0.00054. Therefore, when determining the isotopes when given mass, you only focus on the neutrons as they are the subatomic particles that are significantly affecting the atomic mass.