1. What is Average Isotopic Mass?

The average isotopic mass of a compound is the weighted average of the atomic masses of all the atoms in a chemical formula, taking into account the natural abundance of different isotopes of each element.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( \text{atomic\_masses} \) — Standard atomic weights of elements
• \( \text{num\_atoms} \) — Number of atoms of each element in the formula
• \( \text{num\_atoms\_total} \) — Total number of atoms in the compound

Explanation: The calculator parses the chemical formula, looks up standard atomic weights, and calculates the weighted average mass.

3. Importance of Average Mass Calculation

Details: Average isotopic mass is crucial for stoichiometric calculations, determining molecular weights, and preparing solutions with precise molar concentrations.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the chemical formula using standard notation (e.g., H2O for water, C6H12O6 for glucose). Case matters (Na for sodium, not NA).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between average mass and monoisotopic mass?
A: Average mass considers all natural isotopes, while monoisotopic mass uses only the most abundant isotope of each element.

Q2: How accurate are these calculations?
A: They use standard atomic weights which represent typical natural abundances. For precise work, exact isotopic composition may be needed.

Q3: What elements are supported?
A: The calculator includes common elements up to calcium. More can be added as needed.

Q4: Can I use parentheses in formulas?
A: The current version doesn't support parentheses or complex formulas like hydrates.

Q5: Why is my result slightly different from other calculators?
A: Different sources may use slightly different values for standard atomic weights.