Calculating Molar

Masses for Elements

and Compounds
Elements, Compounds, Polyatomics and..Fill-in the
Blank
Whats all this Periodic Table Non-
Sense?

UNITS: the units for molar mass (atomic weight) is

Elements:
If an element is all by itself, its molar mass (atomic
weight) is as simple as looking up the number on your
Periodic table!
If the element is diatomic (i.e. N2), or has a numbered
subscript in a compound (i.e. CH4 more later). You
must multiply the molar mass of the element by the
numbered subscript to determine to total molar mass
for the molecule.
Ex. N2 = 2 x N = 2(14.01 g/mol) = 28.02 g/mol
Compounds:
Compounds are a little tougher, in order to find the
molar mass of a compound, you have to find the molar
mass of all its parts and add them together.
Lets go back for a second.
Ex: CH4 = (1 x C) + (4 x H) = (1 x 12.01 g/mol) + (4 x
1.01 g/mol) = 16.05 g/mol
The methane molecule (CH4) has one carbon atom, and
four hydrogen atoms. So to find the molar mass of
methane, we need to find the sum, of the molar masses
of all the atoms.
Pesky Polyatomics:
Polyatomic molecules (ions) are those monsters that
you find on the back of the periodic table that have a
bunch of different types of atoms all at once.
Ex. PO4-3 = (1 x P) + (4 x O) = 94.97 g/mol
***Notice that the charge one the ion doesnt change
the molar mass that we calculated. If you are working
on writing a formula, make sure you use the subscripts
not the charges!!!
Compounds WITH Pesky Polyatomics
We have seen polyatomic molecules inside the formulas
for lots of the compounds we have talked about in class.
What does them being in a compound with other atoms
mean for molar mass???
Ex: Sodium Sulfate
Sooooo..
When polyatomics are present in a compound, we have
to imagine them inside a pair of brackets. If there is only
one of the polyatomic molecules in the compound (i.e.
(SO4)1 or more commonly (SO4) ), then we just calculate
molar mass like normal.
On the other hand, if there is a numbered subscript,
other than one, outside the brackets then we have to
multiply the number of each element inside the bracket
by this subscript;
Ex: (SO4)2 = (2 x S) + (8 x O) = 192.42 g/mol
One more example:
Ex: Calcium Sulfate
Fill in the Blank!!
 Ionic Compounds

Name Formula Positive How Molar Negative How Molar

Part many? Mass Part many? Mass
(g/mol) (g/mol)
1 CaF2

2 Sodium
Nitride

3 Ba3N2

4 Magnesiu
m Oxide

5
Li3N

6
Rubidium
oxide
 Covalent Compounds

Name Formula Positive How Molar Negative How Molar

Part many? Mass Part many? Mass
(g/mol) (g/mol)
1 Carbon
Monoxide

2 CO2

3 Dihydroge
n
monoxide
4 H2O2

5 Hydrogen
flouride

6 H2S
 Simple Polyatomic Containing
Compounds
Name Formula Positive How Molar Negative How Molar
Part many? Mass Part many? Mass
(g/mol) (g/mol)
1 LiMnO4

2 HC2H3O2

3 NaNO3

4 KClO3

5 NH4OH

6 BeSO4
 Complex Polyatomic Containing
Compounds
Name Formula Positive How Molar Negative How Molar
Part many? Mass Part many? Mass
(g/mol) (g/mol)
1 Beryllium
Phosphate

2 Magnesiu
m Acetate

3 Calcium
Phosphate

4 Iron (II)
Carbonate

5 Iron (II)
Chlorate

6 Tin (II)
Nitrate