Final answer:
The atomic mass of gold is 197.0 amu indicates the average mass of gold atoms compared to a standard based on the carbon-12 isotope. Gold's atomic mass is the weighted average of its isotopes and is expressed in atomic mass units for simplicity in scientific calculations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'the atomic mass of gold is 197.0 amu' means that the average mass of one atom of gold is equivalent to 197.0 atomic mass units (amu). An atomic mass unit is defined as one-twelfth of the mass of one carbon-12 atom, which is approximately 1.660539 × 10-24 grams. Since atoms are extremely small, using amu as a unit makes it easier to express and compare their masses without dealing with impractically small numbers like those found when measuring in grams.
Gold's atomic mass as given in amu is the weighted average of all the isotopes of gold that exist in nature. This value allows scientists and chemists to compare the mass of gold atoms to other elements in the Periodic Table efficiently, which is particularly useful in chemical calculations and understanding the makeup of substances.