Lesson 6.

Molar Mass

General Chemistry 1
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
The amount of matter present in a substance can be
measured by obtaining its mass.

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In chemical reactions,
atoms rearrange to form
new substances. We
need to relate the mass
of the substance to the
number of atoms
present. A gram of a
substance may contain
billions of particles.
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 In the previous lessons, you have learned about mole as a
unit for the amount of substance. A mole is equivalent to
6.022 ✕ 1023 particles. The relationship between the mass of
the substance and the number of moles is given by the
molar mass. In this lesson, you will learn about molar mass.

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How can we relate mass to
moles?

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Learning Competency
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

Determine the molar mass of elements and

compounds (STEM_GC11S-Ie-28).

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 Learning Objectives
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to do the following:

● Describe the molar mass of elements and

compounds.

● Calculate the molar mass of elements and

compounds.

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 Molar Mass

● Molar mass is the mass of the substance per mole. It is

often expressed in the unit grams per mole (g/mol).

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 Molar Mass

● Molar mass is the mass of the substance per mole. It is

often expressed in the unit grams per mole (g/mol).

● For an element, the molar mass is numerically

equivalent to its atomic mass.

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 Molar Mass

● Molar mass is the mass of the substance per mole. It is

often expressed in the unit grams per mole (g/mol).

● For an element, the molar mass is numerically

equivalent to its atomic mass.

● For example, the atomic mass of a nitrogen atom is

14.007 amu, which means that nitrogen has a molar
mass of 14.007 g/mol.
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 Molar Mass

The general formula for the molar mass of a compound is

given below:

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Molecular Mass

Molecular mass is defined as the sum of the atomic

masses of all elements in a covalent compound.

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 Molecular Mass

● For example, the molecular mass SO2, can be

calculated by adding the atomic mass of its elements.

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 Formula Mass

Formula mass is the sum of the atomic masses in a

formula unit of an ionic compound.

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 Formula Mass

For example, the formula mass of NaCl, an ionic

compound, can be calculated by adding the atomic mass
of sodium and chlorine.

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What is the difference between
molar mass and molecular
mass?

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 Let’s Practice!

The compound NaOH has one sodium, one oxygen,

and one hydrogen atom. The molar mass of Na alone
is 22.990 g/mol, the molar mass of O is 15.999 g/mol,
and H is 1.0079 g/mol. Calculate the molar mass of
NaOH.

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 Let’s Practice!

The compound NaOH has one sodium, one oxygen,

and one hydrogen atom. The molar mass of Na alone
is 22.990 g/mol, the molar mass of O is 15.999 g/mol,
and H is 1.0079 g/mol. Calculate the molar mass of
NaOH.

The molar mass of NaOH is 39.9969 g/mol.

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Try It!

Calculate the molar mass of BaOH. The

molar masses of the elements are
provided as follows: Ba = 137.33 g/mol,
O = 15.999 g/mol, and H = 1.0079 g/mol.

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 Let’s Practice!

Calculate the molar mass of C6H12O6. The molar

masses of the elements are provided as follows:
C = 12.011 g/mol, O = 15.999 g/mol, and H = 1.0079
g/mol.

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 Let’s Practice!

Calculate the molar mass of C6H12O6. The molar

masses of the elements are provided as follows:
C = 12.011 g/mol, O = 15.999 g/mol, and H = 1.0079
g/mol.

The molar mass of C6H12O6 is 168.1548 g/mol.

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Try It!

Calculate the molar mass of C12H22O11.

The molar masses of the elements are
provided as follows: C = 12.011 g/mol,
O = 15.999 g/mol, and H = 1.0079 g/mol.

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 Let’s Practice!

Calculate the molar mass of Na2SO4·10H2O. The molar

masses of the elements are provided as follows:
Na = 22.990 g/mol, S = 32.06 g/mol, O = 15.999 g/mol,
and H = 1.0079 g/mol.

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 Let’s Practice!

Calculate the molar mass of Na2SO4·10H2O. The molar

masses of the elements are provided as follows:
Na = 22.990 g/mol, S = 32.06 g/mol, O = 15.999 g/mol,
and H = 1.0079 g/mol.

The molar mass of Na2SO4 ·10H2O is 322.172 g/mol.

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Try It!

Calculate the molar mass of

Na2B4O7 ·10H2O. The molar masses of the
elements are provided as follows:
Na = 22.990 g/mol, B = 10.81 g/mol,
O = 15.999 g/mol, and H = 1.0079 g/mol.

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Tips
When getting the number of atoms in
compounds with parentheses make sure
to distribute first the number outside
parentheses to the number of atoms
inside. For example, in (NH4)2SO4, to count
the number N and H, distribute first 2 to
NH4 such that (NH4)2 will be N2H8. This
means that there are 2 N atoms and 8 H
atoms.
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 Check Your Understanding

Write true if the statement is correct. Otherwise, write

false.

1. The unit SI unit of molar mass is g·mol−1.

2. Molar mass is the mass of the substance per mole. It is
often expressed in grams per mole.
3. One mole of hydrogen atom is equivalent to 1.008
grams.

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 Check Your Understanding

Calculate the molar masses of the following

compounds.

1. Cl2
2. KOH
3. BeCl2
4. FeCl3
5. BF3

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Molar mass (symbol M, SI unit kg/mol) is the

mass of the substance per mole. It is often
expressed in grams per mole.
● Molecular mass is defined as the sum of the
atomic masses of all elements in a covalent
compound.

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 Let’s Sum It Up!

● Formula mass is defined as the sum of the

atomic masses of all elements in an ionic
compound.

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 Key Formula

Concept Formula Description

Use this
Molar mass
formula to
of compound
solve the
molar mass
of a
compound.

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Challenge Yourself

A hydrate has a molar mass of

261.451 g/mol with a chemical
formula of Zn(NO3)2· xH2O. How many
H2O is present in the compound?

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Bibliography

Chang, Raymond, and Kenneth A. Goldsby. General Chemistry: The Essential Concepts. New York:
McGraw-Hill, 2014.

Handwerker, Mark J. Science Essentials. San Francisco, CA.: Jossey-Bass, 2005.

Hawe, Alan, Dan Davies, Kendra McMahon, Lee Towler, Chris Collier, and Tonie Scott. Science 5–11:
A Guide for Teachers. 2nd ed. New York, NY: David Fulton Publishers, 2009.

Petrucci, Ralph H. General Chemistry: Principles and Modern Applications. Toronto, Ont.: Pearson
Canada, 2011.

Silberberg, Martin S. Principles of General Chemistry. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2013.

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