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 (u) or grams per mole (g/mol) and is crucial for stoichiometric calculations in chemistry.

2. How is NaOH Molecular Weight Calculated?

The calculator uses the simple addition formula:

Where:

• \( MW_{Na} \) — Atomic weight of Sodium (Na)
• \( MW_{O} \) — Atomic weight of Oxygen (O)
• \( MW_{H} \) — Atomic weight of Hydrogen (H)

Explanation: Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) consists of one sodium atom, one oxygen atom, and one hydrogen atom. The molecular weight is simply the sum of their individual atomic weights.

3. Importance of Molecular Weight

Details: Molecular weight is essential for preparing solutions with specific molar concentrations, stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions, and converting between mass and moles of a substance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the atomic weights for Na, O, and H. Default values are provided based on standard atomic weights. The calculator will sum these values to give the molecular weight of NaOH.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why are the default values not whole numbers?
A: Atomic weights account for isotopic distributions in nature. Most elements have multiple isotopes with different masses.

Q2: What is the standard molecular weight of NaOH?
A: Using standard atomic weights: Na (22.9898) + O (15.9994) + H (1.0079) = 39.9971 g/mol, often rounded to 40.00 g/mol.

Q3: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation is mathematically exact. Accuracy depends on the precision of the input atomic weights.

Q4: Can I use this for other compounds?
A: This specific calculator is for NaOH only. The same principle applies to other compounds but requires knowing their molecular formula.

Q5: Why is molecular weight important in solution preparation?
A: It allows conversion between mass (grams) and chemical amount (moles), which is necessary for preparing solutions of specific molarity.