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Chemistry 10 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

There is only one atomic number for each element. Why is there more than one atomic mass for each element?

OpenStudy (anonymous):

The atomic mass is the average of various isotopes of each element.

OpenStudy (unklerhaukus):

The answer is neutrons! Elements are determined by the number of protons residing within the nucleus, these protons are positively charged (+1) and will attract an equal number of electrons (-1) to balance this charge. The electrons will hang around on the surface of the atom and will determine the electronic interaction with other species (this is chemistry) . However neutrons can also reside within the nucleus. Neutrons weigh about he same as protons but have no charge and do not affect the chemical reaction, . As it turns out atoms can be stable(or unstable) with a range of number of neutrons. These are called different isotopes of the element.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Due to presence of isotopes.

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