- Protons have a positive charge and a mass of about 1 atomic mass unit (amu).
- Neutrons have no charge and a mass of about 1 amu.
- Electrons have a negative charge and a mass of about 0.0005 amu.
In comparison, the mass of an atom is typically measured in daltons (Da) or atomic mass units (amu), where 1 Da or 1 amu is approximately equal to the mass of a single proton or neutron.
Here's an example with carbon as a reference to illustrate the mass difference:
- An atom of carbon has six protons, six neutrons, and six electrons.
- The six protons contribute 6 amu to the atom's mass.
- The six neutrons contribute another 6 amu.
- The six electrons contribute a negligible 0.003 amu to the total mass.
Therefore, the majority of carbon's mass (12 amu) comes from the protons and neutrons in its nucleus, with the electrons contributing a very tiny fraction.
In summary, while electrons play a crucial role in the chemical behavior and properties of atoms, they contribute very little to their overall mass.