Question

Explain why the atomic mass unit is preferred over the gram when describing masses of subatomic particles.

Answer 1

Sample Response: The atomic mass unit is preferred because subatomic particles are so small that measuring their masses in grams would require a lot of zeros. Additionally, we cannot simply break apart an atom and measure the subatomic particles on a balance. It’s not practical; furthermore, the breakdown of an atom requires a large amount of energy. For all these reasons, measuring the mass of subatomic particles using grams is not practical.

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

Because atoms are ridiculously small.
And the
amu
is numerically equivalent to the
g/mol
. For instance, if I were to be so lucky as to isolate
1 atom
of
N