Molar Mass

Two very important entities of elements that recognise its characteristics are its atomic number and atomic mass. Similarly, mol mass of a compound is very important and is used in almost all stoichiometric calculations of a compound.

Molar Mass Definition

Molecular mass of a compound is the sum of atomic masses of all elements present in it.

Molecular mass is a physical property of a compound. It is denoted by M.

Molar Mass-

Molecular mass can also be calculated using the mass of a substance and the amount of substance present in moles.

Molecular mass = Grams of a substance / Moles

Mol mass is expressed in grams per mole.

Mol mass is used to find the moles of a substance, when its mass is given.

How to Calculate Molar Mass –

Molar mass of a substance can be found from the atomic masses of the elements present in it. Atomic masses of the individual elements can be obtained from the periodic table.

To calculate mol mass, we need to follow the following steps:

1. Write the Formula for Molar Mass of the compound whose mol mass is to be calculated.

Example – Magnesium chloride

MgCl₂

2. Find the subscripts/number of each element present in the compound.

1 x Mg + 2 x Cl

3. Multiply the number of each element present with the atomic mass of that element.

1 x 24.305 (Mg) 2 x 35.453 (Cl)

= 24.305 = 70.906

4. Finally, put all the atomic masses and their multiplied values together and sum it up.

Mg + 2 x Cl

= 24.305 + 70.906

= 95.211 grams/mole

Molar Mass of Water –

Formula of water is H₂O.

To calculate the mol mass of water, we need to have the atomic masses of hydrogen and oxygen.

Atomic mass of hydrogen = 1.008 grams/mole

Atomic mass of Oxygen = 15.994 grams /mole

There are two moles of Hydrogen. Thus, 2 x 1.008 = 2.016

Mol mass of water = 2.016 + 15.994 = 18.01 grams/mole.

Example of molar mass calculations:

To calculate the mol mass of Sodium hydroxide:

Formula of sodium hydroxide is NaOH

There are 1 mole of sodium, Na, 1 mole of hydrogen, and 1 mole of Oxygen.

To find the mol mass, we can add the atomic masses of all the elements.

Atomic mass of Sodium = 22.989 grams/mole

Atomic mass of oxygen = 15.994 grams/mole

Atomic mass of Hydrogen = 1.008 grams/mole

Mol mass of Sodium hydroxide = Na + O + H

= 22.989 + 15.994 + 1.008 = 39.991 grams/mole.

Mol mass of sodium hydroxide is taken approximately for calculations as 40 grams/mole.