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What is the relationship between atomic mass listed on the periodic table and the arrangement of particles in an atom?

a. Atomic mass determines the number of electrons.
b. Atomic mass is directly proportional to the number of protons.
c. Atomic mass is primarily determined by the number of neutrons.
d. Atomic mass has no correlation with the arrangement of particles in an atom.

User Pgjones
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Final answer:

Atomic mass is primarily determined by the sum of its protons and neutrons; the atomic mass listed on the periodic table is an average of the atomic masses of all natural isotopes of an element.

Step-by-step explanation:

The relationship between atomic mass listed on the periodic table and the arrangement of particles in an atom is that atomic mass is primarily determined by the number of protons and neutrons. The atomic mass is a weighted average of the masses of the naturally occurring isotopes of an element. Each isotope has the same number of protons (which equals the atomic number) but different numbers of neutrons, leading to different mass numbers. The mass number (A) is the sum of protons and neutrons, which determines the atomic mass of an element when averaged across all of its isotopes. Hence, the correct option in relation to the question asked is (c) Atomic mass is primarily determined by the number of neutrons, although it is essential to recognize that the number of protons contributes equally to the atomic mass as neutrons do.

User Cengkuru Michael
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