1. What is Molar Mass?

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance (chemical element or chemical compound). It is a physical property defined as the mass of a given substance divided by the amount of substance in grams per mole (g/mol).

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( MW \) — Molar mass (g/mol)
• Atomic masses — From standard periodic table values
• Counts — Number of each atom in the molecule

Explanation: The calculator parses the chemical formula, looks up each element's atomic mass, multiplies by the count of each element, and sums all values.

3. Importance of Molar Mass

Details: Molar mass is essential for stoichiometric calculations, preparing solutions with specific concentrations, and converting between mass and moles of a substance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., H2O for water, C6H12O6 for glucose). Case matters - element symbols start with uppercase letters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between molecular weight and molar mass?
A: While often used interchangeably, molecular weight refers to the mass of one molecule (in atomic mass units), while molar mass refers to the mass of one mole of molecules (in grams per mole).

Q2: How accurate are the calculations?
A: The calculator uses standard atomic weights. For precise work, use isotope-specific masses and consult the most recent IUPAC atomic weights.

Q3: Can this calculator handle complex formulas?
A: It handles basic chemical formulas. For hydrates (e.g., CuSO4·5H2O) or complex ions, use the dot notation or parentheses.

Q4: Why are some atomic masses not whole numbers?
A: Atomic masses account for natural isotopic abundance. For example, chlorine has isotopes Cl-35 and Cl-37, resulting in an average atomic mass of ~35.45.

Q5: Where can I find more precise atomic mass values?
A: Consult the IUPAC Periodic Table of Elements or the NIST Atomic Weights and Isotopic Compositions database.