What is a mole?

The concept of a mole can be difficult to get your head around.

We are used to giving some numbers names, for example 1 million instead of 1,000,000. And we can use a million as a unit, 3 million, 60 million and so on.

A “mole” is the same concept; only the number that the word “mole” represents is far more complicated! 6.02x1023 approximately; this number is also called Avagadro’s constant. And where on earth did this random number come from? It is the number of atoms in 12g of carbon.

This is used as a reference for all particle counting.

So 1 mole of gold (Au) contains 6.02x1023 atoms and 1 mole of water (H2O) contains 6.02x1023 water molecules.

Note this tells us nothing about the weight of 1 mole of gold, or water. The atoms or molecules will have different masses, like 6.02x1023 feathers vs. 6.02x1023 hammers.

 

Answered by Dara A. Chemistry tutor

3903 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Explain why the enthalpy of lattice dissociation of potassium oxide is less endothermic than that of sodium oxide. ( 2 Marks)


Explain why Br2 has a higher melting point than Cl2


The ionic product of water, Kw = 2.93 × 10−15 mol dm−6 at 10 °C. Calculate the pH of a 0.0131 mol dm−3 solution of calcium hydroxide at 10 °C Give your answer to two decimal places.


What chemical tests are appropriate to identify Butanoic acid, Propanal and 2-methyl propan-2-ol?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences