MadSci Network: Chemistry |
When calculating the formula weight of a very large molecular formula
(e.g. Hemoglobin C2952 H4664 N812 O832 S8 Fe4), is the mass of the
electrons included?
Although the
electrons are only 1/1480 of an AMU, when you have a substance like this,
the electrons
alone would count for over 40 g/mol. Is the mass of the electrons
factored in,or is it left
out when calculating molor masses like this?
My compliments on an excellent question! The mass of the electrons is factored into ANY atomic or molecular mass, but not explicitly. You see, atomic masses are not determined by adding nucleon masses; for one thing, that wouldn't work any too well because of the mass changes associated with nuclear binding energies. Instead, atomic masses are determined from whole atoms, by a combination of definition and experiment.
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