TSAW—a lifelong challenge or simply an unsolved mystery?

Abstract

Abstract The table of standard atomic weights (TSAW) provides of the numbers included in all reprints of the periodic tables of the elements, in all textbooks in schools, high schools and universities, found on the internet, and numerous databases [1]. Whenever one needs to relate masses of an element to molar quantities, standard atomic weights come into the play. They are of fundamental importance in science, education, technology, industries, trade and commerce. It is therefore not surprising that the determination of atomic weights has a central role in chemistry. Also, it is not surprising that it needs a whole commission of experts to set-up such table with highest confidence even though at first sight it seems to be a simple compilation of numbers. That commission of experts is the Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (referred to as the Commission in the text). (For more information about the Commission visit ciaaw.org).