Molarity

Calculations Using Molarity
Dilution Calculations
Species Concentration

Molarity

Another way of expressing concentration, the way that we will use most in this course, is called molarity. Molarity is the number of moles of solute dissolved in one liter of solution. The units, therefore are moles per liter, specifically it's moles of solute per liter of solution.

molarity =

moles of solute
liter of solution

Rather than writing out moles per liter, these units are abbreviated as M or M. We use a capital M with a line under it or a capital M written in italics. So when you see M or M it stands for molarity, and it means moles per liter (not just moles).

You must be very careful to distinguish between moles and molarity. "Moles" measures the amount or quantity of material you have; "molarity" measures the concentration of that material. So when you're given a problem or some information that says the concentration of the solution is 0.1 M that means that it has 0.1 mole for every liter of solution; it does not mean that it is 0.1 moles. Please be sure to make that distinction.

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