Correctly Expressing Atomic Weights

• Moreno Paolini ^[1] ; Giovanni Cercignani ^[2] ; Carlo Bauer ^[2]
  1. [1] University of Bologna

     University of Bologna

     Bolonia, Italia

     
  2. [2] University of Pisa

     University of Pisa

     Pisa, Italia

     
• Localización: Journal of chemical education, ISSN 0021-9584, Vol. 77, Nº 11 (November), 2000, págs. 1438-1438
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • Very often, atomic or molecular weights are expressed as dimensionless quantities, but although the historical importance of their definition as "pure numbers" is acknowledged, it is inconsistent with experimental formulas and with the theory of measure in general. Here, we propose on the basis of clear-cut formulas that, contrary to customary statements, atomic and molecular weights should be expressed as dimensional quantities (masses) in which the Dalton (= 1.663 x 10-24 g) is taken as the unit.