Term unofficially used to indicate a unit of mass equal to 1/12 the mass of a carbon-12 atom, 1.0000 in the atomic mass scale; numerically, but not dimensionally, equal to molecular or particle weight (atomic mass units). [J D.]
* * *
dal·ton 'dȯlt-ən n a unit of mass for expressing masses of atoms, molecules, or nuclear particles equal to 1/12 of the atomic mass of the most abundant carbon isotope 12C: ATOMIC MASS UNIT used chiefly in biochemistry abbr. d
Dalton John (1766-1844)
British chemist and physicist. One of the fathers of modern physical science, Dalton formulated the atomic theory of matter, a theory that established chemistry as a true science. He determined the relative weights of atoms and developed the laws of definite and multiple proportions. He formulated several laws relating to gases, including Dalton's law or the law of partial pressures. His wide interests included meteorology, in which he made valuable observations on the aurora borealis, trade winds, and rain. In 1794 he systematically described and explained the form of color blindness known as Daltonism. He himself was color-blind.
* * *
dal·ton (D) (Da) (dawlґtən) [John Dalton] an arbitrary unit of mass, being
the mass of the nuclide of carbon-12, equivalent to 1.657 Ч 10−24 g. Called also atomic mass unit.
Medical dictionary. 2011.