RAM (Relative Atomic Mass)

Learning Objectives

  • determination of the relative atomic mass of an element using mass spectrometry (details of instrument not required)

Summary Notes

  • Relative Atomic Mass (RAM or Ar) is the mass of each atom compared to Carbon (12). E.g. Magnesium has a mass of 24 which is twice as heavy as Carbon.

  • It is found through calculations involving the abundances of an elements’ Relative Isotopic Masses (see picture right).

  • Relative Molecular Mass is the atomic masses of each atom in a molecule added up e.g. CO2’s atomic mass is 12 + 16 + 16 = 44

Videos to help build your understanding

Relative Atomic Mass

Practice Material

Ram resources

Isotope Game

Ram Extra Calculations - you can see if your answers are correct by looking up relative atomic mass of the elements online