Question

Question:The atomic mass of boron (B) is given in the periodic table as 10.81, yet no single atom of boronhas a mass of 10.81 u. Explain.

Short answer

Answer

The atomic masses are actual mass of all isotopes for specific element.

Step-by-step solution

Representation of atomic mass in a periodic table

The atomic mass can be listed in the periodic table can be defined as isotope’s average mass of element which is present on their natural abundance.

Atomic mass of Boron

The atomic mass of Boron has 10.81 amu. There are two isotopes of boron includes boron-10 and boron-11. The atomic mass of boron-10 and boron-11 has 10.01 amu and 11.01 amu. It can exist in the atomic mass equal to the 2 isotopes. There is not possible for mass of boron atom is 10.81 amu.