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Moles and Mole Conversions

Nicholas Espalin

Created on November 4, 2025

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Transcript

Moles and Mole Conversions

Instructions:

  • Explore: Look through this presentation for key ideas and examples
  • Read: Chapter 3-2 in your textbook.
  • Start working on Stuidy Guide, due on 11/21

Resources:

Click here for Textbook

Click here for study Guide ( due 11/21)

4.1 Lesson (accelerate)

3.2 — The Mole and Atomic Mass

The mole is the fundamental unit used to measure the amount of a substance. It connects the microscopic world of atoms and molecules to the macroscopic quantities we can measure in the lab.s.

  • 1 mole = 6.022 × 10²³ particles (atoms, molecules, ions)
  • Developed by Amedeo Avogadro to relate gas volume and particle number
  • This number allows us to convert between microscopic (atoms) and macroscopic (grams) quantities.
This relationship allows chemists to count atoms using a balance instead of direct observation.

Visualizing the Mole

The magnitude of 6.022 × 10²³ is enormous — one mole of sand grains would cover the Earth with a layer several miles deep! This huge number compensates for how incredibly small atoms are. For perspective:

  • 1 mole of carbon = 6.022 × 10²³ C atoms = 12.00 g
  • 1 mole of helium = 6.022 × 10²³ He atoms = 4.00 g
  • 1 mole of iron = 6.022 × 10²³ Fe atoms = 55.85 g
The mass of one atom of carbon can be found by dividing 12 g by Avogadro’s number.

Intro to Moles Video

Relationship Between Atomic Mass and Molar Mass

Each element’s atomic mass (in amu) is numerically equal to the molar mass of that element (in g/mol). For example:

  • Carbon: 12.01 amu → 12.01 g/mol
  • Sodium: 22.99 amu → 22.99 g/mol
  • Phosphorus: 30.97 amu → 30.97 g/mol
This direct relationship allows you to move between atomic-scale mass and measurable grams using the mole as a bridge. 1 amu = (1 g) / (6.022 × 10²³) = 1.66 × 10⁻²⁴ g

Periodic Table

Molar Mass from Molecular Mass

The molar mass of a compound (in g/mol) is numerically equal to its molecular mass (in amu). For instance:

  • Water: 18.02 amu → 18.02 g/mol
  • SO₂: 64.07 amu → 64.07 g/mol
  • Caffeine: 194.20 amu → 194.20 g/mol
1 mole of H₂O weighs 18.02 g and contains 6.022 × 10²³ molecules. This relationship connects atomic-scale mass to lab-scale measurements.

Example 1: Converting Grams to Moles

Helium (He) is used in balloons and research applications. How many moles are in 6.46 g of He? Step 1: Identify the molar mass of He = 4.003 g/mol Step 2: Use the conversion factor (1 mol / 4.003 g): (6.46 g) × (1 mol / 4.003 g) = 1.61 mol He Because the given mass is greater than 4.003 g, the result should be greater than 1 mol. number.

Converting between Gram and Moles

Example 2: Converting Moles to Grams

Zinc (Zn) is used in making brass and in galvanizing steel. How many grams are in 0.356 mol of Zn? Molar mass of Zn = 65.39 g/mol Calculation: (0.356 mol) × (65.39 g / 1 mol) = 23.3 g Zn Since this is less than one mole, the mass is less than 65.39 g, which makes sense.

Converting Between Moles, Atoms, and Molecules

Example 3: The Mass of a Single Molecule

The C₆₀ molecule (buckminsterfullerene) contains 60 carbon atoms. What is the mass of one C₆₀ molecule? Step 1: One mole of carbon = 12.011 g = 6.022 × 10²³ atoms. Step 2: Mass of one C₆₀ molecule = (60 × 12.011 g) / (6.022 × 10²³) =1.20 × 10⁻²⁰ g Each C₆₀ molecule is extremely light — trillions are needed for even a milligram sample!

Example 4: Counting Atoms in Compounds

How many hydrogen atoms are in 25.6 g of urea [(NH₂)₂CO]?

  1. Molar mass of urea = 60.06 g/mol
  2. Convert grams to moles: (25.6 g) × (1 mol / 60.06 g) = 0.426 mol urea
  3. Each urea molecule has 4 H atoms → 4 mol H per mol urea
  4. (0.426 mol urea) × (4 mol H / 1 mol urea) × (6.022 × 10²³ atoms/mol) = 1.03 × 10²⁴ H atoms

Lets Practice!

Hints:

  • Calculate molecular mass using the periodic table.
  • Remember: molar mass (g/mol) = molecular mass (amu).
  • Use Avogadro’s number to convert moles to particles or atoms.

Lets Practice!

Hints:

  • Calculate molecular mass using the periodic table.
  • Remember: molar mass (g/mol) = molecular mass (amu).
  • Use Avogadro’s number to convert moles to particles or atoms.