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Atomic Structure

Relative atomic, molecular and formula mass

  • 3 things to know
  • Unit AS 1

Overview

Relative atomic mass, relative molecular mass and percentage by mass of nitrogen in ammonium nitrate, NH₄NO₃.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

Why is the term relative formula mass used for an ionic compound rather than relative molecular mass?

Numbers

Calculate the relative molecular mass of sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄.

Numbers

Calculate the relative formula mass of calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)₂.

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Define relative atomic mass.

    Model answer

    Relative atomic mass is the weighted mean mass of the atoms of an element compared with one twelfth of the mass of one atom of carbon-12.

  2. 2

    Define relative molecular mass.

    Model answer

    Relative molecular mass is the mass of one molecule of a substance compared with one twelfth of the mass of one atom of carbon-12.

  3. 3

    Why is the term relative formula mass used for an ionic compound rather than relative molecular mass?

    Model answer

    An ionic compound is a giant lattice and contains no discrete molecules, so the mass refers to the simplest formula unit instead.

  4. 4

    Why does relative atomic mass have no unit?

    Model answer

    It is a ratio of one mass to another mass, so the units cancel.

  5. 5

    How is a relative molecular mass calculated from relative atomic masses?

    Model answer

    The relative atomic masses of all the atoms in the molecular formula are added together, counting each atom as many times as it appears.

  6. 6

    Calculate the relative molecular mass of sulfuric acid, H₂SO₄.

    Model answer

    The value is 2 × 1.0 + 32.1 + 4 × 16.0 = 98.1.

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