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The Mole
The Mole
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever wondered how many atoms are you made of? How many atoms lies
within your body, the planet, or a grain of sand? In the year of 1811, Romano Amedeo
Carlos Avogadro proposed his hypothesis, stating the number of particles that are
as there are atoms in 12 g of carbon-12 isotope. But since there was no accurate data at
that time and there were still no specified standard weights of atoms, scientists did not
believe his idea and did not give it much thought. It was only until the late 1860s when
he was proven correct. His theory was accepted and even became the foundation for
the atomic theory, although he died 4 years before—in 1856. The mole was later named
as Avogadro’s number, since Avogadro was the first one who came up with this idea.
sextillion. This was also known as the molar quantity. For years, the mole has been
often used in the field of chemistry. It is also used along with the molar mass which is
the mass or weight of one mole of something or how much does one mole of something
weigh. It tells you the number of grams per mole of a compound and since the molar
mass relates two different sets of units, grams and moles, it can be used as a conversion
factor.
In this activity, we will conceptualize the mole in sample elements. We will also
relate the molar masses of different elements in mass, moles, and atoms.
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II. METHODOLOGY
Before the experiment was done, all materials were first defined
tenths and subtracted to the weight of the petri dish, before being
written down on the table provided. After all was recorded, the
Figure 2 Measuring of the sample
researchers computed for the average and wrote it below the
table. The average will indicate the average mass of all the
will compare their average mass to the mass that was measured
Figure 3 Measuring on analytical the measurements will be determined, as well as their precision.
balance
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III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. STATION ALUMINUM
Aluminum Sample
Gael Uy 14.3 g
Average: 14.3 g
The measurements above are both accurate and precise, since the
measurements are close with one another and are very close to the actual mass.
Aluminum is the world’s most abundant metal, and the third most common
element which makes up 8% of the Earth’s crust. Pure aluminum is soft, ductile,
and corrosion resistant and has a high electrical conductivity. It is widely used for
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foil and conductor cables, but alloying with other elements is necessary to provide
the higher strengths needed for other applications. It has a molar mass of 27 g Al in
a mole. The sample is less than one mole aluminum because it only contains 14.22
g Al. In the sample, there are 0.527 mol Al in the sample, this is obtained when we
multiply the mass of the aluminum sample by one mole of Al over the molar mass
of Al.
There are 3.17 atoms Al which is the result when we multiply the mass of
There should be about 1.9 cans of aluminum to be able to have one mole of
multiplying it both to 1 can of aluminum over the mass of the aluminum sample or
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B. STATION CARBON
Carbon Sample
Average: 6.2 g
Comparing the average to the actual mass, the measurements the group
noted are accurate, considering how near the average is to the actual mass of the
sample. Since it is not perfect on the precision—one was measured far from the
rest—we can say that its accuracy is greater than its precision.
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Carbon is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth's crust and the fourth
most abundant element in the universe by mass after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen.
Carbon's abundance, its unique diversity of organic compounds, and its unusual
enables this element to serve as a common element of all known life. It has a molar
mass of 12 g C in a mole. The carbon sample contains less than one mole of carbon
because it has 6.5 grams of carbon, and it has 0.542 mol C. It is the result we get
when we multiply the mass of the sample with a mole of carbon then divide it to
There are 3.26 x 1023 individual atoms of carbon in the sample. We can get
Then, you will multiply it again by Avogadro’s number, 6.022 x 1023 atoms C.
6.5 g C __1 mol C__ (6.022 x 1023) atoms C = 3.26 x 1023 atoms C
12 g Al 1 mol C 4.
the mass of carbon that is present on the person, we must multiply the mass of the
person with the percentage of Carbon that is present in her/him. Since the given
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grams). Only after you have converted the given quantity to grams, will it be
possible to multiply it to the carbon percentage, which must also be multiplied first
to 100.
The quantity that was computed in the first question can be used to
determine how many moles of carbon are present in the person. Just like the usual
mass).
C. STATION COPPER
Copper Sample
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Student’s Name Recorded Mass
Average: 23.4 g
The measurements are both accurate and precise, considering how near the
average is with the actual mass and how close the measurements each member had
Copper is the oldest metal used by man. Its use dates back to prehistoric
times. It has been mined for more than 10,000 years. It is found as a native metal
and in the mineral’s cuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite and bornite. Copper
has a molar mass of 64g/mol. The copper sample contains 23.3 g of Cu which is
less than one mole of copper. Through dimensional analysis, the researcher used
the molar mass to be able to come up with a conversion factor. One mole of copper
factor, the mass of the sample can be easily converted to moles. So, to put it simply,
to get the number of moles in the sample, we must multiply the mass of the sample
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to 1 mol of copper over the molar mass of carbon (64 g Cu) where we get 3.64 x
The answer that has been computed from the previous question—0.364 mol
Cu—can be used to determine how many individual atoms are present in the
sample. From moles, it can be converted to atoms through a conversion factor: one
The mass of the 5-Peso coin was measured through an analytical balance.
accurately. Based from the measurements, the coin weighs 7.7 grams. There are
about 8.42 x 10-2 mol Cu which is the result when we multiply 5.39 g Cu to 1 mol
Cu over 64 g Cu.
divided by the number of moles of copper in one coin—which was answered in the
previous question. There are 11.9 coins needed to get 1 mole of copper. 11.9 coins
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is the result when we multiply it by 1 coin over the moles of copper in the 5-peso
coin.
D. STATION IRON
Iron Sample
Average: 30.4 g
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The measurements are very precise, but their accuracy is not that high. This
means they have a higher precision than accuracy. Their measurements are all close
with one another, but all of them are far from the actual mass of the sample. Maybe
they encountered problems when they were measuring the sample. One possibility
is that they might have not waited for a little longer on the pointer and immediately
periodic table). It is known to exist in four distinct crystalline forms. It rusts in damp
air, but not in dry air. It dissolves readily in dilute acids. Iron is chemically active
and forms two major series of chemical compounds, the bivalent iron (II), or
ferrous, compounds and the trivalent iron (III), or ferric, compounds. The iron
sample contains less than one mole of iron since a mole contains 56 grams while
the sample has 28.4 grams. To get the number of moles on the sample, we must use
the molar mass to be able to come up with a conversion factor. 1 mole of iron = 56
grams of iron; we use this information as the conversion factor so the mass of the
sample can be converted to moles. We now get the result 5.1 x 10-1 mol Fe when
we multiply the mass of the sample to 1 mol Fe over the molar mass of iron (56 g
Fe).
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From the previous question, we can use the answer as the constant on
computing for the individual atoms present in the sample. From 0.507 mol Fe, it
where we can multiply these following values to get 3.05 x 1023 individual atoms
Fe.
An iron clamp weighs 12.4 grams of iron. To get the number of moles in an
iron clamp, we have to get the conversion factor: 1 mol Fe = 56 g Fe. When we
multiply these two values, 12.4 g Fe and 1 mol Fe over 56 g Fe, the result is 2.2 x
When getting the number of atoms, we can use the answer from the previous
question as a constant since the number of moles on the iron clamp can be directly
converted to the number of atoms by multiplying 0.221 mol Fe to 6.022 x 1023 and
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E. STATION SILICON
Silicon Sample
Average: 14.12 g
The measurements above are almost accurate, but their precision is not that
high. Two of the members did not seem to have resulted closer than the rest of the
measurements in chemistry. The riders must not have been fully set to zero before
measuring.
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Silicon is the most abundant electropositive element in The Earth’s crust.
It’s a metalloid with a marked metallic luster and very brittle. It is usually
tetravalent in its compounds, although sometimes its bivalent and it’s purely
biologists. It makes up 28% of Earth's crust and is found in many minerals. Sand,
quartz, and glass are all made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2). The sample contains
less than one mole of silicon since one mole of silicon is equal to 28 grams while
the sample has 14.2 grams. In order to compute the moles in the sample, we have
to get the conversion factor from the molar mass. Since 1 mol Si = 28 g Si, we can
easily convert it to get the number of moles in the sample. We multiply 1 mol Si
computing for the individual atoms present in the sample. From 0.507 mol Si, it
equivalent to 6.022 x 1023 (Avogadro's number). We get 3.05 x 1023 atoms Si as the
answer.
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A silicon is a compound because it consists of two or more elements
simpler substances by chemical means. To get how many moles of silicon are in a
mole of silicon dioxide, we can just convert the mole of silicon dioxide to silicon
in the ratio 1:1, which gives off an answer equal to 1 mol Si.
Since 1 mole of silicon dioxide contains 1 mole of silicon atoms and 2 moles
of oxygen atoms, a ratio 1:2 is figured which can be used to compute for the moles
answer can be used as a constant on computing for the individual atoms present in
conversion factor: one mol Si is equivalent to SO2 then finally multiply it by 6.022
leaves a ratio of 1:2 for the conversion factor. It can be converted to atoms through
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the conversion factor: one mole of oxygen is equivalent to 6.022 x 1023 atoms Si
F. STATION SODIUM
Sodium Sample
Average: 81.8 g
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Based from the measurements recorded above, their accuracy seems to be
higher than their precision. Their average is almost just 0.1 gram away from the
actual mass. Their measurements are also close with each other, except for the two
Sodium reacts quickly with water, and also with snow and ice, to produce
sodium hydroxide and hydrogen. When it’s exposed to air, metallic sodium recently
cut lose its silvery appearance and acquires an opaque grey color due to the
formation of a sodium oxide coating. Sodium doesn’t react with nitrogen, not even
at very high temperatures, but it can react with ammonia to form sodium amide.
There are 23 g Na per mole. According to the packaging, a serving contains 240
mg Na which is equal to 2.40 x 10-1 g Na. When we multiply the number of moles
present in one serving to 1 mole of sodium per 23 g Na, we get 1.04 x 10-2 mol Na.
Knowing the moles of Na present in one serving, we can get the number of
atoms in one serving by multiplying the mol Na present to Avogadro’s number over
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Healthy Americans should restrict their sodium intake to no more than
2,400 mg per day/ 2.4 g per day, which is about 11 /4 teaspoons of table salt (NaCl).
When converting to moles, we have to multiply 2.4 g Na to 1 mol Na over the molar
mass of Na (23 g) which leaves an answer equal to 1.04 x 10-1 mol Na.
Knowing the moles of sodium present on one serving, we can easily get the
spoon of Na, we need about 4 table spoons of Na to have 1 mol of Na. The 1 mol
of Na must be multiplied by the molar mass of Na (23 g Na) then divided to 1 mol
of Na. Since there are 2 grams of Na in one teaspoon, you must multiply it to 1
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IV. CONCLUSION
The molar masses of each sample elements serve as bridges to be able to convert
different units—from mass to mole, mole to mass, mole to atoms, and atoms to mole—
V. REFLECTION
Darren Tiongson
In this world we live in, there are thousands of limitations and possibilities along the
way. There will be no guarantee of who can win the fight, so the only way for you to
be able to reach your goals is to take down your enemies and be selfish. This is what
society is nowadays. People used to gain their success by working diligently and
studying hard. But now, all people will ever care about is reputation and connections.
No matter how we see it, the world has changed as technology continues to strive its
way to the top of the market industry. The people have learned to become lazy, having
a mindset that education and experience is no longer needed if one has enough
When life gives them problems, they rely on other people to do the dirty work. When
their problems can’t be fixed, they blame it on others. This is what we have evolved to
through these years. But based from my experience, I have learned that nothing will
ever be gained from being dependent on others. Because once they leave you, what will
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you do? Once all your connections start to break one after another, where will you go?
I have once relied on someone, to the point that I’ve always been with her ever since
we became friends. She was good at academics, so every time I had difficulty, I asked
help from her. In that way, I thought before, I might have good grades. For months, it
had been like that. But then, in a snap of a finger, she left. Confused and frustrated of
what had become of our friendship, I tried to find her again and tell her to be like what
we used to be before. But she ignored me and snapped at me for being so pessimistic.
Since then, the bond we had was never mend, and we continued our lives still having
This is what happens when we expect too much and leap to a place you can never reach.
I expected too much from her—I thought she would never grow tired of me, but I was
wrong. Maybe it was one of the biggest mistakes I had ever committed in my entire
life. But it taught me that to accomplish my dreams, we have to strive for it and work
hard. Connections can help you reach the top, but it’s better not to rely on those too
much and dedicate yourself in learning more. Just like what Solomon Ortiz said,
Think of a world where there is one child looking for someone who would believe his
findings, he found people to show them to, but these people only look not see, they
hear his words but they don’t listen to his thoughts. Until the day came that he gave up,
but on that same day, one person proved his findings, a person who opened his heart to
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someone who’s seeking out. One point that comes to every person’s life is when people
don’t believe what we see or learn. They believe what they want to believe, and they
won’t believe you unless someone else proves it. Just like Avogadro, many chemists
didn’t believe his findings until his death came. He discovered the number and tries to
convince someone. In life, there are things that we think is impossible, there are things
we think is hard for others to believe. But when we pursue, try hard enough to believe
in ourselves, we might just be a hero. ―All it takes is faith and trust—Peter Pan.
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