Question

What is the molecular weight of oxygen?

Answer 1

Step 1. Molecular weight

• Molecular weight is the sum of atomic weight, measured in amu.
• The mass of one carbon atom is equal to the atomic mass unit (formerly abbreviated as 'amu,' but now spelled as 'u' – unified mass) according to the latest IUPAC recommendation.

Step 2. The formula for the molecular weight of oxygen

The molecular weight of oxygen$\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$=$2\times \mathrm{the}\mathrm{atomic}\mathrm{mass}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{O}$

Step 3. The molecular weight of oxygen

• Oxygen $\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$is a diatomic molecule. So, the molecular weight of oxygen is as follows:-
• The molecular weight of oxygen$\left({\mathrm{O}}_2\right)$ =$\left[2\times \left(16\right)\right]\text{u}$

=$\text{32 u}$

Hence, the molecular weight of oxygen is $\text{32 u}$.