What is a Mole?
•  A SI unit that describes the amount of
a substance
•  Used to keep track of large numbers of atoms
and molecules in samples
•  Unit of counting is called a mole
•  Abbreviated as mol
•  One mole= 6.022x1023 objects (you will eventually
have this number memorized)
•  Also called Avogadro's number
•  In chemistry, the objects are atoms, molecules and ions
What is a Mole?
•  One mole of marshmallows will cover the planet Earth 12
miles high
•  One mole of hockey pucks would be equal to the mass
of the Moon (7.35 x 1025 grams)
•  One mole of marbles will fill the entire Grand Canyon
and enough left over to displace all the water in Lake
Michigan and a few other lakes
A Mole as a Counting Unit
• 
• 
• 
• 
1 pair of objects = 2 objects
1 dozen objects = 12 objects
1 gross of objects = 144 objects
1 mole of objects = 6.022 x 1023 objects
•  How many atoms are in a mole?
Mole Activity Procedure
•  Goal: Comprehend both the magnitude of Avogadro’s number and the
size of molecules, atoms and ions. Data will be collected and used as
to answer the questions in the handout.
1)  I will put you into groups of three and have one person manager, have one
person be the recorder and the last person as the reflector.
–  Manager keeps track of notes you are taking for the activity and organizes everyone
–  Recorder records time and data
–  Reflector makes sure everyone understands the material
2)  Determine in seconds how long it takes for each group member to count 100
rice grains using a timer or clock and average the number.
3)  Measure the length of 20 rice grains laid end to end in cm.
4)  Find the volume that 100 rice grains occupies using a graduate cylinder.
5)  Use the balance at the front of class, to determine the mass of 100 rice grains.
(This may be step two for some groups)
6)  Answer the following questions in the handout.
7)  Post answer to question 2 on board.
Activity materials
Weigh boat
Graduate cylinder
Round bottom tube
§  Group 1
§  Cayln
§  Zach
§  Jennifer
§  Group 2
§  Jarrett
§  Roland
§  Kara
§  Group 3
§  Maya
§  Darion
§  Brandon
§  Group 4
§  Harrison
§  Romonte
§  Rodney
§  Group 5
§  Jamal
§  Ariel
§  Roland
Groups
§  Group 6
§ 
§ 
§ 
Wes
Cashay
Jakeem
§  Group 7
§ 
§ 
§ 
Asha
Kaya
Dennis
§  Group 8
§  Kaylen
§  Xavier
§  Gary
§  Group 9
§  Brock
§  LaRaven
§  William R.
§  Group 10
§  De Vontee
§  Vang
§  Travis
§  Group 11
§  Ant
§  Will B.
§  Daniel
§  Group1 2
§  Sydney
§  Aunjelis
§  Daquon
§  Group 13
§  Jade
§  John
§  Somoya
§  Group 14
§  Brandon
§  Joshua
§  De’andre
Mole Activity
Sample Data
•  100 grains = 95 seconds
•  100 grains = 1.6 grams
•  100 grains = 2.5 ml
•  20 grains= 12.5 cm
Q1) How many years would it take you to count a mole of rice grains?
6.022x10 23 grains ×
95s
1hr
1day
1yr
×
×
×
= 1.8x1016 yr
100grains 3600s 24hr 365days
Q2) How many years would it take the population of the Earth to count
Avogadro’s number of rice grains?
1.8x1016 yr
6
=
3.0x10
yrs for the Earth's population
9
6.0x10 population
Mole Activity
Sample Data
•  100 grains = 95 seconds
•  100 grains = 1.6 grams
•  100 grains = 2.5 ml
•  20 grains= 12.5 cm
Q3) How many rice grains laid end to end would it take to reach the
sun?
5280 ft 12in 2.54cm 20grain
9.3x10 7 miles ×
×
×
×
= 2.4x1013 grains
1mile
1 ft
1in
12.5cm
Q4) How deep, in miles, would Texas be covered if a mole of rice grains
were poured on Texas?
2.5cm 3
1in 3
1 ft 3
1mile3
23
3
6.022x10 grains ×
×
×
×
=
3610063.6
miles
100grains 16.39cm 3 1728cm 3 1.47197x1011 ft 3
3610063.6miles 3
= 14 miles
2
262, 000miles