The mole and Avogadro constant

The key idea

The mole connects the microscopic world of atoms and molecules to measurable laboratory amounts. One mole contains exactly the Avogadro constant number of specified entities.

Why it matters

It is chemistry’s counting unit: like a dozen, but designed for unimaginably small objects.

A useful mental picture

Key idea

The mole and Avogadro constant

Key idea

The mole and Avogadro constant

n = N/N_A · N_A = 6,02214076×10²³ mol⁻¹ (exact)

The mole connects the microscopic world of atoms and molecules to measurable laboratory amounts. One mole contains exactly the Avogadro constant number of specified entities.

Guided example

The mole and Avogadro constant

The mole connects the microscopic world of atoms and molecules to measurable laboratory amounts. One mole contains exactly the Avogadro constant number of specified entities.

Put it into practice

The mole and Avogadro constant

Choose a concrete case linked to The mole and Avogadro constant. Write down the known information, what you are trying to find, and the units. Then state the rule, model or trend you will use. If a calculation is involved, keep the units visible at every line; if it is conceptual, state what changes and what remains fixed.

Check your answer

A strong answer contains four things: the starting situation, the variable that changes, the direction or numerical result, and one check. The check can be a unit, an order of magnitude, a limiting case or a comparison with a familiar example.