Which is a factor in determining the average atomic mass of an element?

1 Answer
Mar 2, 2018

The mass numbers of the different isotopes of that element are averaged according to their respective abundances in nature.

Explanation:

Isotopes of different elements occur in various abundances in nature. Because different isotopes of elements have a varying number of neutrons, their mass numbers are different. In order to determine the atomic mass of an element, a weighted average is taken of the masses of all of the isotopes of that element, depending on how often they occur in nature.