Accel. Chem. Blog #3

Relative Mass

        Relative mass is an molecules mass compared to 1/12 of a c-12 (Carbon-12) atom.  For elements, this is applied as the atomic mass on the periodic table.  In class we did several labs to work with relative mass.  One lab involved weighing out rice, beans, and popcorn kernels.  Then we compared the masses to determine the relative mass of the popcorn and beans if rice was 1:1.  This lab was a good entry point into our understanding of relative mass.  Once we understood how to calculate relative mass we were able to start working with the relative mass of elements and moles.

Avogadro Number

         

          Avogadro's number is the number of atoms in a specific mass of a substance.  Avogadro's Number is massive.  It is expressed as 6.02X10^23. Also written as:

602,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.00

The number above is one mole.  Abbreviated mol, a mole is used to calculate mass relative to C-12

Molar Mass

        Molar mass is the mass of one mole of atoms.  An elements molar mass is also knows as it's atomic mass.   The periodic table is arranged so molar mass increase from left to right.

        

        Throughout this last part of the unit we have been performing many calculations using molar mass.   The most import thing to do when performing these calculations is to make sure you set up your rations.  Ratios are important because molar mass is based on rations to c-12.  

My Thoughts

        As this unit comes to an end I feel like I have a good grasp on the concepts we covered.  The labs we participated in were a good way to get the basics across then expand the ideas and apply them to other situations.  I feel like the more I work with molar mass calculations the more comfortable I'll become and experience is the only thing that can be improved.  There aren't any ideas that I don't understand at this point