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What is Molecular Mass? Definition and Calculation

Molecular mass (also called molecular weight) is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms present in one molecule of a substance. It is expressed in atomic mass units (amu or u).

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What is molecular mass?

Answer

Molecular mass is the sum of atomic masses of all atoms in one molecule of a substance, expressed in atomic mass units (amu).

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Key Facts

Definition: Sum of atomic masses of all atoms in a molecule.

Unit: amu (u).

H₂O = 18 amu; CO₂ = 44 amu; Glucose = 180 amu.

Molar Mass = Molecular Mass (same number, different units).

How to Calculate Molecular Mass

To calculate molecular mass, identify all atoms in the molecule and add their atomic masses:

Example 1: Water (H₂O)

  • H = 1 amu × 2 = 2 amu
  • O = 16 amu × 1 = 16 amu
  • Molecular Mass of H₂O = 18 amu

Example 2: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

  • C = 12 amu × 1 = 12 amu
  • O = 16 amu × 2 = 32 amu
  • Molecular Mass of CO₂ = 44 amu

Example 3: Glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

  • C: 12 × 6 = 72
  • H: 1 × 12 = 12
  • O: 16 × 6 = 96
  • Molecular Mass = 180 amu

Molecular Mass vs Molar Mass

TermDefinitionUnit
Molecular MassMass of one moleculeamu or u
Molar MassMass of 1 mole (6.022×10²³ molecules)g/mol

Numerically they are the same! Molecular mass of H₂O = 18 u; Molar mass of H₂O = 18 g/mol.

Questions and Answers

What is molecular mass?+

Molecular mass is the sum of atomic masses of all atoms in one molecule of a substance, expressed in atomic mass units (amu).

What is the molecular mass of water?+

Molecular mass of water (H₂O) = 2(1) + 16 = 18 amu.

What is the molecular mass of CO₂?+

Molecular mass of CO₂ = 12 + 2(16) = 44 amu.

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