Molecular Mass

Molecular Mass

Similar to relative atomic mass, relative molecular mass is defined as the ratio of the mass of a molecule to the unified atomic mass unit. The relative molecular mass of any compound can be calculated by adding the relative atomic masses of its constituent atoms.

For example,

i) Relative molecular mass of hydrogen molecule (H₂)

= 2 × (relative atomic mass of hydrogen atom)

= 2 × 1.008 u

= 2.016 u.

ii) Relative molecular mass of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆)

= (6 × 12) + ( 12 ×1.008) + (6 ×16)

= 72+12.096+96

= 180.096 u

Table 1.1 Relative atomic masses of some elements