The term “formula unit” is used for substances with ionic constituents because in ionic compounds, the smallest repeating unit is not a molecule but rather a formula unit consisting of ions in a fixed ratio.
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The formula unit for an ionic compound is determined by balancing the charges of the constituent ions to create a neutral compound. For example, sodium chloride has a formula unit NaCl.
Molecular mass applies to covalent compounds, representing the sum of atomic masses in a molecule, while formula unit mass applies to ionic compounds, representing the sum of atomic masses in a formula unit.
Formula unit mass is calculated by adding the atomic masses of all the atoms present in a formula unit of a compound, similar to calculating molecular mass.
Formula unit mass is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in a formula unit of a compound, particularly for substances whose constituent particles are ions.