What is the Origin of the Mole Abbreviation in Chemistry?

  • Context: Chemistry 
  • Thread starter Thread starter woosh9013
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Mole
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the abbreviation for the mole in chemistry, specifically the use of an 'm' with a line over it versus the more commonly accepted 'mol.' Participants explore the origins and validity of this notation, questioning its recognition and usage in educational contexts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recalls a teacher using an 'm' with a line over it as an abbreviation for mole, questioning its legitimacy and origin.
  • Another participant states they have never encountered this notation, suggesting it may be an outdated or personal method.
  • A different participant confirms that 'mol' is the standard abbreviation for mole, comparing it to other scientific abbreviations.
  • There is a suggestion that the teacher might have been referring to molar mass, which is represented differently (g/mol).
  • One participant mentions having seen 'mol' abbreviated as 'm' before but not with a line over it, speculating on possible confusion with other notations.
  • A participant humorously suggests the teacher may have made an error, referencing a famous mistake attributed to Einstein to illustrate the point.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the validity and recognition of the 'm' with a line over it as an abbreviation for mole. There is no consensus on its usage, with multiple competing views on the matter.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the notation's acceptance in the broader scientific community and its potential confusion with other symbols, such as meters.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to chemistry educators, students learning about chemical notation, and those curious about historical or alternative scientific abbreviations.

woosh9013
Messages
6
Reaction score
0
In high school, I remember one of my chemistry teachers abbreviating mole by drawing a line over an m. I haven't seen anyone else do that. I've seen mol. many many times in books and from most other teachers/professors. Is the m with the line some older method for symbolizing mole? Does anyone know where she came up with that method of abbreviation?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Never seen that, and I was young many moons ago.
 
The abbreviation, if you want to call it that, for mole is . . . 'mol'.

About as helpful as the abbreviation for dyne. ('dyn')

Whee! one less letter. :D

Are you sure your teacher wasn't talking about molar mass? That would be something like g/mol -- you know, as in the molar mass of water is about 18.0 g/mol.
 
And even then, for molar mass, \tilde{m} is the symbol for the variable, not the unit itself. (That's supposed to be a bold m with a tilde over it, but I'm apparently having a bad Tex day.)
 
I've seen mol abbreviated at m before, but never m with a bar over it. You could be integrating something possibly?
 
There was no integrating going on. It was extremely basic high school chemistry, and none of us knew any calculus at the time.

I'm positive she wasn't talking about molar mass. She used the abbreviation throughout the entire year, probably hundreds of times. She even told us that we could use the m with the line or mol., but not the m alone since that generally signifies meters.

I thought somebody would have seen that notation before. That's really weird. I guess I should stop using it.
 
Then there is the unfortunate possibility that your teacher was the one with the wires crossed. It happens. Even Einstein accidentally wrote E = MC hammer before he got it right.

Well, no, but you get the point.
 
Joskoplas said:
Even Einstein accidentally wrote E = MC hammer before he got it right.

Oh so thats how he does it! And I thought it took a genius

No I have never seen this abbreviation either. I'm sure you won't cramp your hand writing down an extra stroke for mol.
 

Similar threads

Chemistry Finding the molecular formula of an unknown hydrocarbon
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Constant-Pressure Calorimetry question
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Chemistry Basic Mole Concept Questions, Grade 11 Chem
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
36K
Chemistry Difficult AP Chemistry Question (Titration + Calculating Moles)
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
18K
Q&A: Basic Chemistry Questions for Year 11 Students
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
6K
What Is the Concentration of Pb(ClO3)2 in the Original Solution?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Programs General Engineering/Chemistry/Biosciences/Physics - what to choose?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
2020 US National Chemistry Olympiad
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Mole and Avogadro's Number: A Closer Look
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
34K
Chemistry Is the Chemistry Job Market in Shambles?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K