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Chemistry (including Biochemistry)/symbols for molarity and nomality

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Expert: - 3/12/2007


Question
Hello Dr. Boyter,

I would like to ask
(i) whether the sybmols for molarity and nomality, i.e. M and N, should be in italic or not, and

(ii) whether there is a space between the number and the symbol, e.g. 1 M KCl or 1M KCl?

Thanks!

Answer
1 - Depends on the editor of the writing, but usually not in italics.

2 - Normally no space, but that doesn't say an editor may write it that way or even use a 1/2 or 1/4 space for clarity.

I don't know of an IUPAC standard, but you can ask them at www.iupac.org.  

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Dr. Henry Boyter, Jr.

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Experience in the area
Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

Experience

Chemistry (non-biochemistry), environmental science, occupational health and safety, environmental regulation and management, environmental engineering, and wastewater engineering. I'm the Director of Environmental, Health, and Safety and the Director of Research at the Institute of Textile Technology.

Education/Credentials
PhD, MS, BS in Chemistry

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