1. What is Molecular Weight?

Molecular weight (MW) is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. It's expressed in atomic mass units (amu) or grams per mole (g/mol) and is crucial for chemical calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the molecular weight formula:

Where:

• \( MW \) — Molecular weight in g/mol
• Each element's atomic mass is multiplied by its count in the formula
• The sum of all atomic masses gives the total molecular weight

Explanation: The calculator parses the chemical formula and sums the atomic weights of all constituent atoms.

3. Importance of Molecular Weight

Details: Molecular weight is essential for stoichiometric calculations, preparing molar solutions, determining empirical formulas, and many other chemical applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., H2O for water, C6H12O6 for glucose). Case matters (Na for sodium, not NA).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between molecular weight and molar mass?
A: They are numerically equivalent but molecular weight is dimensionless while molar mass has units of g/mol.

Q2: How accurate is this calculator?
A: Accuracy depends on the atomic mass values used. For precise work, use IUPAC's most recent atomic weights.

Q3: Can this calculator handle complex formulas?
A: It handles basic formulas well. For hydrates (e.g., CuSO4·5H2O) or ions, specialized calculators may be needed.

Q4: What about isotopes?
A: The calculator uses average atomic masses. For specific isotopes, you'd need to input exact masses.

Q5: Why is molecular weight important in chemistry?
A: It's fundamental for converting between mass and moles, essential for reaction stoichiometry and solution preparation.