What Is the Molecular Weight of Air?

The molecular weight of air is approximately 28.97 g/mol. The molecular mass is estimated using the weights of all of the elements contained in air.

Air is mostly made of oxygen and nitrogen. Dry air also contains the following components: carbon dioxide, argon, helium, hydrogen, krypton and xenon. Based on the molecular weights of each of these components and their respective ratios in air, adding them together will estimate the molecular weight of air.

Other components of air may include methane, ammonia, and nitrous oxide. Studying the levels of these elements in the air is essential to understanding air pollution. Pollution in the air is not only a threat to the environment but to human lives. The average person takes in approximately 35 pounds of air per day.