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Mole
Unit Information
It is a unit of Amount of Substance
Symbol mol
Unit System SI base unit

The mole is a way of quantifying numbers of particles in such a way that their interactions can be quantified. Like a dozen, the value of a mole does not change between substances. The mass of 1 mole will, however, vary by the type of particle involved.


1 mole = 6.02 x 1023 particles
1 mole = 22.4 liters

This was set by measuring the number of particles in a 12g sample of carbon-12.

Mole is sometimes abbreviated mol.


It is important to note that 1 mole of any single element will have a mass equivalent to the element's average atomic mass, in grams. The element's amu mass can be changed directed to grams by virtue of the number selected, without any conversion.

The mole can be used to quantify a number of atoms, molecules, or even formula units of an ionic structure.

To find the mass of a mole of a molecule or formula unit, simple sum the masses of the components.

1 mole of a given molecule can be broken down into that molecules parts, such that it its possible to quantify the number of component particles involved. So,

given 1 mole of Water (H2O), there must be 1 mole of Oxygen, and 2 moles of hydrogen in the sample.

given 1 mole of methane(CH4), there must be 1 mole of carbon and 4 moles of hydrogen

The same follows with ionic compounds:

given 1 mole of Table Salt(NaCl), there must be 1 mole of Na, and 1 mole of Cl.

given 1 mole of PbBr2, there must be 1 mole of Pb, and 2 of Br.

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