Please discribe mole and how it works

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    Mole Works
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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the concept of the mole in chemistry, exploring its definition, purpose, and relationship to other concepts such as Avogadro's number and atomic number. Participants seek to clarify the role of the mole in quantifying atoms and molecules, as well as its practical applications in calculations and measurements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe a mole as a unit that quantifies approximately 6.022 x 10^23 of a particular element, molecule, or particle, likening it to a "dozen" but on a much larger scale.
  • There are questions about the purpose of a mole, with some participants suggesting it is a way to count large numbers of atoms, making calculations easier.
  • Participants inquire about the relationship between the mole and Avogadro's number, with some stating that Avogadro's number defines the number of atoms in a mole.
  • Some contributions emphasize that the mole serves as a mathematical scaling factor, facilitating easier measurements and calculations in chemistry.
  • There are discussions about the historical basis for the mole, including its original definition related to hydrogen and its redefinition concerning carbon.
  • Some participants assert that the mole does not depend on atomic number, while molecular weight is related to grams per mole.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the mole's definition and its implications. While some agree on its role as a counting unit and scaling factor, others raise questions about its connection to the atomic number and the nature of its relationship with the quantum world. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing views present.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the mole's relationship to atomic number and its practical applications, which are not fully explored. The definitions and historical context of the mole may also vary among participants.

Tonywryip
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I don't know what mole is and I read a lot of answers, is it like a dozen of atom, or is it like a unit, like meter?or is it something else?
 
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A mole is a unit that quantifies 6.022 x 10^23 of a particular element, molecule, or particle.

so if you had a mole of dogs, you would have 6.022 x 10^23 dogs, more than enough to cover the surface of the world! A more likely example is if you had a mole of hydrogen atoms; you would then have 6.022 x 10^23 hydrogen atoms.

So you are correct in the analogy of it being a "dozen" of something, only it happens to represent about 10^22 times more than a dozen.
 
What does that do, say a mole of hydrogen atoms, what is the purpose of the mole? What can a mole of hydrogen atom achieve? And does it have anything to do with atomic number of hydrogen?
 
Tonywryip said:
What does that do, say a mole of hydrogen atoms, what is the purpose of the mole? What can a mole of hydrogen atom achieve? And does it have anything to do with atomic number of hydrogen?

It's just a way to count large numbers of atoms. It's sometimes easier to work with 3 moles of helium, than 18x1023 atoms of helium.
 
What about Avogadro number's, is that the same as mole? And my dad said that mole connects the molecular world to our world(the bigger one), is that true, if it is, how is it true?
 
O, and how do you quote ?
 
Tonywryip said:
What about Avogadro number's, is that the same as mole? And my dad said that mole connects the molecular world to our world(the bigger one), is that true, if it is, how is it true?

It's the constant that is defined as the number of atoms in a Mole of a substance. It has no actual connection between our world and the quantum world, just a mathematical one. It can be used as a scaling factor for certain things. See here for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avogadro_constant

Tonywryip said:
O, and how do you quote ?

Click the "Quote" button at the right side of whatever post you want to quote.
Or click the "Multi Quote" button next to each post you want to quote and then hit "New Reply" at the bottom of the thread.
 
It doesn't do anything, it is just a representation of a scaling factor (you know this factor as Avogadro's constant). The reason we like using the mole in equations as opposed to just one particle is that it is simply easier. Easier for measurements and easier for calculations. Since it's early use, however, many relationships have been based off of this scaling factor including Boltzmann's constant and other various relationships. The number of particles per mole was originally based off of how many atoms were in 1 gram of hydrogen. It has since been redefined as the number of atoms in 12 grams of carbon.

The mole doesn't depend on atomic number or vice versa. Molecular weight on the other hand is related to the number of grams per mole.

I hope that helps.
 
Drakkith said:
It's the constant that is defined as the number of atoms in a Mole of a substance. It has no actual connection between our world and the quantum world, just a mathematical one. It can be used as a scaling factor for certain things. See here for more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avogadro_constant



Click the "Quote" button at the right side of whatever post you want to quote.
Or click the "Multi Quote" button next to each post you want to quote and then hit "New Reply" at the bottom of the thread.

Thank you
 
  • #10
corvuscrypto said:
It doesn't do anything, it is just a representation of a scaling factor (you know this factor as Avogadro's constant). The reason we like using the mole in equations as opposed to just one particle is that it is simply easier. Easier for measurements and easier for calculations. Since it's early use, however, many relationships have been based off of this scaling factor including Boltzmann's constant and other various relationships. The number of particles per mole was originally based off of how many atoms were in 1 gram of hydrogen. It has since been redefined as the number of atoms in 12 grams of carbon.

The mole doesn't depend on atomic number or vice versa. Molecular weight on the other hand is related to the number of grams per mole.

I hope that helps.

Thank you
 

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