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

3445 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

Excess KCN(aq) is added to a solution of [Co(H2O)6]2+. Identify the complex ion formed and predict its shape and charge.


What are the features of a dynamic equilibrium?


Explain the trend in first ionisation energy along period 3


What is the rate of a reaction and how can you determine it experimentally?


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 2013–2024

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences