1. What is Molecular Weight?

Molecular weight (MW) is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. It's expressed in g/mol and is crucial for stoichiometric calculations in chemistry.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Process:

1. Parses the chemical formula (e.g., H2O, C6H12O6)
2. Identifies each element and its count
3. Multiplies each element's atomic mass by its count
4. Sums all values to get the total molecular weight

3. Importance of Accurate MW

Applications: Essential for preparing solutions, reaction stoichiometry, determining empirical formulas, and in analytical techniques like mass spectrometry.

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter the chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., C6H12O6 for glucose). Case matters - elements start with uppercase letters.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between MW and formula weight?
A: They're often used interchangeably, but formula weight typically refers to ionic compounds while MW refers to molecular compounds.

Q2: How accurate are these calculations?
A: Very accurate when using IUPAC standard atomic weights. Differences may occur due to natural isotope variations.

Q3: Can this calculator handle complex formulas?
A: Yes, it can handle most standard chemical formulas including those with parentheses and simple hydrates.

Q4: What about isotopes?
A: The calculator uses average atomic weights accounting for natural isotope abundance.

Q5: How are charges handled?
A: Charges don't affect molecular weight calculations as electron mass is negligible.