What does molar mass represent?

Molar mass represents the mass of one mole of a substance. It is typically expressed in grams per mole (g/mol) and is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in a molecule according to its chemical formula. For example, the molar mass of water (H₂O) can be calculated by adding the molar mass of two hydrogen atoms (1 g/mol each) and one oxygen atom (approximately 16 g/mol), giving a total of about 18 g/mol.

This concept is fundamental in chemistry, as it allows chemists to convert between the mass of a substance and the amount in moles, which is a standardized way of measuring the quantity of a substance based on the number of particles it contains. Understanding molar mass is essential for stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions, facilitating the measurement and conversion of reactants and products in various chemical processes.