Mole Concept - Counting/Numbers

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The Mole Concept allows chemist to be able to keep track of base units (basic particles) that are have such a small mass and a significant number of them that you can not count or mass them individually. So, instead we group them into large number sets, specifically 6.02E23 number sets or more commonly called a mole. So, the counting/number relationship (conversion factor) is

6.02E23 atom = 1.0 moles of the atom

So, this is the relationship that we will use to go from Mole -> numbers (base units) or numbers (base units) --> moles

The method of calculating these problems are same as any other problem you have done to date in the chemistry class, either Dimensional Analysis (DA) or by Equation.

Since we have several base units, we create a general name, called particle so we can create one conversion factor/Equation and have a reference table to make it specific for each type of substance.

The conversion factor is:
6.02E23 particle
1mole

or by Equation

#particle = #mole
6.023E23 particle
1mole

where when you know the substance you are dealing with, you replace the word "particle" with the appropriate base unit name from the table below.
Example, if you are dealing with a MC (molecular compound), you will replace particle with molecules

Particle Name Table

Substance Particle Name
Element atom
MC molecule
IC Formula unit







ChemistryWiki | Mole Concept - Counting | RecentChanges | Preferences
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Last edited December 3, 2015 1:09 pm (diff)
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