1. What is Molecular Weight?

Molecular weight (MW) is the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule. It's expressed in atomic mass units (amu) or grams per mole (g/mol). ChemDraw provides accurate MW calculations for chemical structures.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses atomic weights to compute:

Where:

• Each element contributes its atomic weight multiplied by its count
• Standard atomic weights are used (IUPAC values)
• Isotopic variations are not considered in this basic calculator

Explanation: The calculation sums the weight of all atoms in the molecular formula.

3. Importance of MW Calculation

Details: Molecular weight is crucial for stoichiometric calculations, preparing solutions, determining yields, and interpreting mass spectrometry data.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., C6H12O6 for glucose). Case matters - element symbols start with uppercase letter.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate is this calculator?
A: This provides basic calculation. For precise work, use professional tools like ChemDraw with updated atomic weight tables.

Q2: Does this handle complex formulas?
A: This basic version handles simple formulas. For polymers or complex structures, use dedicated software.

Q3: What about isotopic variations?
A: This uses standard atomic weights. For exact isotopic calculations, specify isotopes in the formula.

Q4: Can I enter SMILES or other notations?
A: This version only accepts molecular formulas. For structures, use ChemDraw directly.

Q5: How does this compare to ChemDraw's calculation?
A: ChemDraw handles more complex cases including charges, radicals, and special cases.