Problem: It is common in mass spectrometry to assume that the mass of a cation is the same as that of its parent atom.Using data in the table, determine the number of significant figures that must be reported before the difference in mass of 1Hand 1H+ is significant.ParticleMass (amu)Proton1.0073Electron5.486 x 10-4

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atomic number = # protons

atomic mass = # neutrons + # protons


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It is common in mass spectrometry to assume that the mass of a cation is the same as that of its parent atom.

Using data in the table, determine the number of significant figures that must be reported before the difference in mass of 1Hand 1H+ is significant.


ParticleMass (amu)
Proton1.0073
Electron5.486 x 10-4



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