1. What Is Molecular Weight?

Molecular weight (MW) is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. It is expressed in grams per mole (g/mol) and is a fundamental property used in chemistry for various calculations including stoichiometry and concentration determinations.

2. How Does The Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the molecular weight formula:

Where:

• \( MW \) — Molecular weight (g/mol)
• \( \sum \) — Summation of all atomic weights
• Atomic Weights — Standard atomic masses of elements (g/mol)

Explanation: The calculator parses the chemical formula, identifies each element and its quantity, then sums the atomic weights multiplied by their respective counts.

3. Importance Of Molecular Weight Calculation

Details: Accurate molecular weight calculation is essential for preparing solutions, determining reaction stoichiometry, calculating molar concentrations, and various analytical chemistry applications.

4. Using The Calculator

Tips: Enter the chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., H2O, C6H12O6, NaCl). Use proper capitalization (H for hydrogen, Cl for chlorine) and include numbers for atom counts greater than 1.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between molecular weight and molar mass?
A: Molecular weight refers to the mass of one molecule, while molar mass is the mass of one mole of substance. They are numerically identical but have different units (g/mol).

Q2: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator uses standard atomic weights. For most applications, this provides sufficient accuracy. For precise work, use IUPAC recommended values.

Q3: Can I calculate molecular weight for ionic compounds?
A: Yes, the calculator works for both molecular and ionic compounds by summing the atomic weights of all atoms in the formula unit.

Q4: What if my formula contains parentheses?
A: This calculator uses basic parsing. For complex formulas with parentheses, use specialized chemical software for accurate calculation.

Q5: Are isotopic variations considered?
A: No, the calculator uses average atomic weights. For specific isotopes, manual calculation with exact isotopic masses is required.