Alejandro Acosta

16 October 2017
ENGL-218G
How to Calculate the Molar Mass of a Compound
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to demonstrate how to calculate the molar mass of a compound.
Tools
- Calculator
- Periodic Table
Steps
1. Determine the chemical formula for the compound.
- The chemical formula is the number of atoms in each element of the compound.
This is normally given to you.
- Ex. Sodium Chloride: NaCl
2. From a periodic table, locate the atomic mass of each element.
- The atomic mass is the number underneath the element in the periodic table. The
units for this number is amu or atomic mass units.

Na is the 11th element and Cl is the 17th element. Underneath the elements are the atomic
masses.
http://kleanritecleaners.com/images/periodic-table-of-elements-black-and-white-i12.jpg
3. Convert atomic mass units to grams per mole.
- This is done by multiplying the atomic mass unit by the molar mass constant.
- The molar mass constant is 1 gram per mol.
 - Ex. Na: 22.990*1g/mol= 22.990g/mol
Cl: 35.453*1g/mol=35.453g/mol
4. Multiply each elements atomic mass by the number of atoms of that element present in
the compound to find the molar mass of each element.
- The number of atoms of an element in a compound is found by the subscript of
each element.
- Ex. NaCl Na: 22.990g/mol*1= 22.990g/mol
- Cl: 35.453g/mol*1= 35.453g/mol
- There are no subscripts in sodium chloride meaning, there is only one atom of
sodium and one atom of chloride.
5. Add the molar masses of each element to find the molar mass of the compound.
- Ex. 22.990g/mol + 35.453g/mol= 58.443g/mol NaCl