1. What is AMU?

AMU (Atomic Mass Unit) is a standard unit of mass that quantifies atomic and molecular masses. One AMU is defined as one-twelfth the mass of a carbon-12 atom.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the molecular mass formula:

Where:

• \( AMU \) — Atomic Mass Unit (molecular mass)
• \( \sum \) — Summation of all atomic masses
• Atomic Masses — Individual atomic masses of elements in the molecule

Explanation: The calculator parses the chemical formula and sums the atomic masses of all atoms in the molecule.

3. Importance of Molecular Mass Calculation

Details: Molecular mass calculation is essential for stoichiometric calculations, chemical reactions, determining empirical formulas, and understanding chemical properties.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., H2O for water, CO2 for carbon dioxide). Use capital letters for element symbols and numbers for atom counts.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between AMU and molecular mass?
A: AMU is the unit, while molecular mass is the total mass of a molecule expressed in AMU units.

Q2: How accurate is this calculator?
A: The calculator uses standard atomic masses with 4 decimal precision. For exact calculations, use more precise atomic mass values.

Q3: Can I calculate mass for complex molecules?
A: Yes, the calculator can handle most common chemical formulas including organic compounds and complex ions.

Q4: What if my molecule contains parentheses?
A: This version handles basic formulas. For complex formulas with parentheses, use specialized chemical software.

Q5: Is molecular mass the same as molar mass?
A: Molecular mass is in AMU per molecule, while molar mass is in grams per mole. Numerically they are equal but units differ.