The distribution of molar masses among the chains in a polymer sample. Number-weighted and mass-weighted descriptions assign different relative weights to long chains: for populations of chains with molar mass , the number-average molar mass is , while the weight-average molar mass is . A single average does not determine the full distribution.
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Molar mass distribution, also known as molecular weight distribution, refers to the variation in the molar mass (or molecular weight) of a sample of polymers or other complex mixtures. This distribution is important because it reflects the diversity in the size of molecules within a sample, which can significantly affect the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of a material.