What is Molecular Mass?

It is the sum of atomic mass of all the atoms in a molecule

Example - Molecular Mass of H 2 O

  • Atomic Mass of Hydrogen (H) =1 u
  • Atomic Mass of Oxygen (O) =16 u
  • Molecular Mass of Water (H 2 O) = 2*1+16*1 = 2 + 16 = 18 u

 

 

Example - Molecular Mass of HNO 3

  • Atomic Mass of Hydrogen (H) =1 u
  • Atomic Mass of Nitrogen (N) =14 u
  • Atomic Mass of Oxygen (O) =16 u
  • Molecular Mass of Nitric Acid (HNO 3 ) = 1 *1+ 14*1+ 16*3 = 1+14 + 48 = 63 u

 

A few more examples of Molecular masses are:

 

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

What is Formula Unit Mass?

It is sum of atomic mass of all atoms in formula unit of compound

It is calculated in same manner as Molecular Mass

Only difference is it is used for those substances whose constituent element is ions 

(it is used for ionic compounds)

Formula Unit Mass-Teachoo-01.jpg

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

Example 1

Sodium Chloride (NaCl) contains 2 ions, Positively charged Sodium ions (Na+) and Negatively charged Chloride Ions

 

Formula Unit Mass of Sodium Chloride

Atomic Mass of Sodium (Na) = 23 u

Atomic Mass of Chloride (Cl)= 35.5 u

Formula Unit Mass of Sodium Chloride = 23*1+ 35.5*1 = 23+35.5 = 58.5 u

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

Example 2

Calcium Chloride ( CaCl 2 ) contains 2 IONS, Positively charged Calcium ions (Ca +2 ) and Negatively charged Chloride (2 Cl -1 ) Ions

 

Formula Unit Mass of Calcium Chloride

Atomic Mass of Calcium (Ca) = 40 u

Atomic Mass of Chloride (Cl)= 35.5 u

Formula Unit Mass of Calcium Chloride  (CaCl 2 ) = 40*1 + 35.5*2 = 40+71 = 111 u

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

 

Comparison between Atomic Mass, Molecular Mass and Formula Unit Mass

Comparison between Atomic Mass, Molecular Mass and Formula Unit Mass-01.jpg

 

Atomic Mass

Molecular Mass

Formula Unit Mass

It is the mass of an atom of a chemical element

It is the Sum of Atomic Masses of all the atoms in a molecule

It is sum of atomic mass of all atoms in formula unit of compound

It is used to measure mass of a single atom

It is used to measure mass of a single molecule

It is used to measure mass of those substances whose constituent elements are ions

 

What is a Molecule?

A group of atoms chemically bonded together is Here are the valency of a few elements:

called Molecule.

 

Atomic Mass of Hydrogen = 1 u




Molecular Mass of Water (H 2 O) = (2x1) +(16x1) 

=2+1= 18 u



Formula Unit Mass of Sodium Chloride (NaCl)

= (23x1) + (35.5x1)

=23+35.5 = 58.5 u

 

 

Example - 3.1,3.2

In text Question - Page 40 Q1,Q2

NCERT Question -

Go Ad-free
Maninder Singh's photo - Co-founder, Teachoo

Made by

Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 14 years and a teacher from the past 18 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo