Question

What is the fraction of the hydrogen atom's mass (11h) that is in the nucleus? the mass of proton is 1.007276 u, and the mass of 11h atom is 1.007825 u. express your answer using four significant figures?

Answer 1

Hello there!

To determine the fraction of the hydrogen atom's mass that is in the nucleus, we have to keep in mind that a Hydrogen atom has 1 proton and 1 electron. Protons are in the nucleus while electrons are in electron shells surrounding the nucleus. The mass of the nucleus will be equal to the mass of 1 proton and we can express the fraction as follows:

$Mass Fraction= \frac{mass 1 Proton}{mass H atom} = \frac{1,007276 u}{1,007825}=0,9995$

So, the fraction of the hydrogen atom's mass that is in the nucleus is 0,9995. That means that almost all the mass of this atom is at the nucleus.

Have a nice day!