Question

What is the molecular weight of sulfuric acid?

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 Sulfuric acid

The molecular weight of Sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$=$(2\times \mathrm{the}\mathrm{atomic}\mathrm{mass}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{H})+(1\times \mathrm{the}\mathrm{atomic}\mathrm{mass}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{S})+(4\times \mathrm{the}\mathrm{atomic}\mathrm{mass}\mathrm{of}\mathrm{O})$

Step 3. Calculation of molecular weight of Sulfuric acid

The molecular weight of Sulphuric acid$\left({\mathrm{H}}_2{\mathrm{SO}}_4\right)$ =$\left[2(1.008)+32.06+4\left(16\right)\right]\text{u}$

= $98.076\text{u}$

=$98.08\mathrm{u}$

Hence, the molecular weight of sulfuric acid is $98.08\text{u}$.