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:
- Write the Formula for Molar Mass of the compound whose mol mass is to be calculated.
Example –
Magnesium chloride
MgCl2
- Find the subscripts/number of each element present in the compound.
1
x Mg + 2 x Cl
- 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
- 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.