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Molecular weight (M.W.) (for molecular compounds) and formula weight (F.W.) (for non-molecular compounds), are older terms for what is now more correctly called the relative molar mass (M r). [8] This is a dimensionless quantity (i.e., a pure number, without units) equal to the molar mass divided by the molar mass constant .
Where ρ is mass density, M is average molecular weight, P is pressure, T is temperature, and R is the ideal gas constant. The gas is held in place by so-called "hydrostatic" forces. That is to say, for a particular layer of gas at some altitude: the downward (towards the planet) force of its weight, the downward force exerted by pressure in ...
is the molecular mass of dry air, approximately 4.81 × 10 −26 in kg. [note 1], the specific gas constant for dry air, which using the values presented above would be approximately 287.050 0676 in J⋅kg −1 ⋅K −1. [note 1] Therefore:
The definition of molecular weight is most authoritatively synonymous with relative molecular mass; however, in common practice, use of this terminology is highly variable. When the molecular weight is given with the unit Da, it is frequently as a weighted average similar to the molar mass but with different units.
Air is given a vapour density of one. For this use, air has a molecular weight of 28.97 atomic mass units, and all other gas and vapour molecular weights are divided by this number to derive their vapour density. [2] For example, acetone has a vapour density of 2 [3] in relation to air. That means acetone vapour is twice as heavy as air.
The average molecular weight of dry air, which can be used to calculate densities or to convert between mole fraction and mass fraction, is about 28.946 [11] or 28.964 [12] [5] g/mol. This is decreased when the air is humid. The relative concentration of gases remains constant until about 10,000 m (33,000 ft). [13]
The stability of an air mass may be shown using a third letter, either "k" (air mass colder than the surface below it) or "w" (air mass warmer than the surface below it). [3] An example of this might be a polar air mass blowing over the Gulf Stream , denoted as "cPk".
Water vapor and dry air density calculations at 0 °C: The molar mass of water is 18.02 g/mol, as calculated from the sum of the atomic masses of its constituent atoms. The average molar mass of air (approx. 78% nitrogen, N 2; 21% oxygen, O 2; 1% other gases) is 28.57 g/mol at standard temperature and pressure .