What is molar mass? Differentiate between atomic and molar mass?
First, molar mass is defined as the mass of a mole or one mole. It can also be identified with single elements, single molecules, and other substances. Molar mass is the same as molecular weight. However, the main difference is that molecular weight only describes the weight of the molecules over the elements. Both the molar mass and molecular weight are expressed in units of grams per mole.
For example, let us compute for the molar mass/molecular weight of the compound water. Water is also known as H2O. It is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. An oxygen atom weighs 16 grams per mole. A hydrogen atom weighs 1 gram per mole. So multiplying 2 hydrogen atoms would yield 2 grams per mole of hydrogen plus 16 grams per mole of oxygen equals 18 grams per mole. Thus, the molecular weight or molar mass of water is 18 grams per mole.
Atomic mass, on the other hand, is the mass of the atom not in motion but at rest. Atomic mass is also the number of protons and the number of neutrons. The atomic mass of an atom is described as the sole weight of an isotope and not the average weight. Atomic mass is measured via mass spectrometry. Molar mass is computed from the atomic weight. There are no units of measurement for atomic masses because these are relative masses meaning these are “unitless.”
Summary:
1.Molar mass is the mass of one mole per single element while atomic mass is the mass of an atom at rest or is the number of protons and neutrons.
2.Molar mass is measured in grams per mole while atomic mass is “unitless.”
3.Atomic mass is measured via mass spectrometry while molar mass is computed via atomic weight.
First, molar mass is defined as the mass of a mole or one mole. It can also be identified with single elements, single molecules, and other substances. Molar mass is the same as molecular weight. However, the main difference is that molecular weight only describes the weight of the molecules over the elements. Both the molar mass and molecular weight are expressed in units of grams per mole.
For example, let us compute for the molar mass/molecular weight of the compound water. Water is also known as H2O. It is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. An oxygen atom weighs 16 grams per mole. A hydrogen atom weighs 1 gram per mole. So multiplying 2 hydrogen atoms would yield 2 grams per mole of hydrogen plus 16 grams per mole of oxygen equals 18 grams per mole. Thus, the molecular weight or molar mass of water is 18 grams per mole.
Atomic mass, on the other hand, is the mass of the atom not in motion but at rest. Atomic mass is also the number of protons and the number of neutrons. The atomic mass of an atom is described as the sole weight of an isotope and not the average weight. Atomic mass is measured via mass spectrometry. Molar mass is computed from the atomic weight. There are no units of measurement for atomic masses because these are relative masses meaning these are “unitless.”
Summary:
1.Molar mass is the mass of one mole per single element while atomic mass is the mass of an atom at rest or is the number of protons and neutrons.
2.Molar mass is measured in grams per mole while atomic mass is “unitless.”
3.Atomic mass is measured via mass spectrometry while molar mass is computed via atomic weight.
