Dalton (unit)

Jump to navigation Jump to search

The dalton or unified atomic mass unit (symbol: Da, amu or u) is a unit of measurement for measuring the mass of atoms, equalling ¹⁄₁₂ of the mass of the carbon-12 isotope, the most abundant form of carbon atoms in nature.[1]

History

The unit is named after English chemist and physicist John Dalton (1766 – 1844). 1 atomic mass unit is approximately 1.66 × 10-27 kg, or 1.66 × 10-24 g.[2]

Atomic physics

In atomic physics, 1 amu can be expressed as roughly 931 MeV (M = 106, 1 eV ≈ 1.60 × 10-19 J) due to mass-energy equivalence, illustrated by ΔE = Δmc2.[3][4]

Dalton (unit) Media

Related pages

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ Atomic mass unit | Definition, Description, Uses, & Facts. Britannica (November 11, 2024). Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  3. ↑ Converted number: Conversion from eV to J. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (2022). Retrieved November 30, 2024.
  4. ↑ Nuclear Binding Energy and the Mass Defect. Boston University. Retrieved November 30, 2024.