Average Molecular Weight Formula:
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Definition: Average Molecular Weight is the weight determined by summing the weights of all the components and then dividing by the total number of components.
Purpose: It helps chemists and engineers determine the average mass of molecules in a gas mixture, which is important for various calculations in thermodynamics and chemical engineering.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The mass of the gas mixture is divided by the total number of moles in the mixture to get the average molecular weight.
Details: Calculating average molecular weight is crucial for determining gas properties, designing chemical processes, and calculating gas densities and flow rates.
Tips: Enter the mass of the gas mixture in kilograms and the number of moles in the mixture. All values must be > 0.
Q1: What units should I use for the inputs?
A: Mass should be in kilograms (kg) and number of moles should be in moles (mol).
Q2: Can I use this for liquid mixtures?
A: While the concept is similar, this calculator is specifically designed for gas mixtures.
Q3: How do I find the number of moles in a mixture?
A: You can calculate moles by dividing the mass of each component by its molecular weight and summing them up.
Q4: What's a typical range for average molecular weight?
A: For common gas mixtures, it typically ranges from about 2 g/mol (hydrogen) to 44 g/mol (CO₂), or 0.002-0.044 kg/mol.
Q5: Does this work for ideal gas mixtures?
A: Yes, this calculation is particularly accurate for ideal gas mixtures.