The multiplication sign simply means that the molecules have their independent existance in the compound. For example the formula you have given has three species in solution ZnCO3, 2 molecules of Zn(OH)2 and 1 molecule of water H20 for each molecule of your compound. These species are bonded to each other but the bonds between the atoms of the participating molecules are not broken. To get the molar mass of the compound simply add the molar masses of indivisual molecules multiplied by number of molecules they are contributing. Thus for ZnCO3*2Zn(OH)2*1H20 the molar mass would be: Molar mass of ZnCO3 + 2*(Molar mass of Zn(OH)2) + Molar mass of H2O = 125.4 + 2*99.4 + 18 = 342.2 g/mol Solution The multiplication sign simply means that the molecules have their independent existance in the compound. For example the formula you have given has three species in solution ZnCO3, 2 molecules of Zn(OH)2 and 1 molecule of water H20 for each molecule of your compound. These species are bonded to each other but the bonds between the atoms of the participating molecules are not broken. To get the molar mass of the compound simply add the molar masses of indivisual molecules multiplied by number of molecules they are contributing. Thus for ZnCO3*2Zn(OH)2*1H20 the molar mass would be: Molar mass of ZnCO3 + 2*(Molar mass of Zn(OH)2) + Molar mass of H2O = 125.4 + 2*99.4 + 18 = 342.2 g/mol.

1. The multiplication sign simply means that the molecules have their independent existance in the
compound. For example the formula you have given has three species in solution ZnCO3, 2
molecules of Zn(OH)2 and 1 molecule of water H20 for each molecule of your compound. These
species are bonded to each other but the bonds between the atoms of the participating molecules
are not broken. To get the molar mass of the compound simply add the molar masses of
indivisual molecules multiplied by number of molecules they are contributing. Thus for
ZnCO3*2Zn(OH)2*1H20 the molar mass would be:
Molar mass of ZnCO3 + 2*(Molar mass of Zn(OH)2) + Molar mass of H2O
= 125.4 + 2*99.4 + 18
= 342.2 g/mol
Solution
The multiplication sign simply means that the molecules have their independent existance in the
compound. For example the formula you have given has three species in solution ZnCO3, 2
molecules of Zn(OH)2 and 1 molecule of water H20 for each molecule of your compound. These
species are bonded to each other but the bonds between the atoms of the participating molecules
are not broken. To get the molar mass of the compound simply add the molar masses of
indivisual molecules multiplied by number of molecules they are contributing. Thus for
ZnCO3*2Zn(OH)2*1H20 the molar mass would be:
Molar mass of ZnCO3 + 2*(Molar mass of Zn(OH)2) + Molar mass of H2O
= 125.4 + 2*99.4 + 18
= 342.2 g/mol