LAB#5 Moles Gizmos
Student Exploration: Moles
Directions: Follow the instructions to go through the simulation. Respond to the questions and
prompts in the orange boxes.
Vocabulary: atomic mass, Avogadro constant, conversion factor, dimensional analysis, mole,
molar mass, molecular mass, scientific notation, significant figures, unified atomic mass unit
Prior Knowledge Questions (Do these BEFORE using the Gizmo.)
1. In the image to the right, note a dozen eggs, a dozen donuts and a
dozen roses. How many of each item do you have?
12
2. Would a dozen of each object have the same mass?
no
3. Suppose you have a dozen carbon atoms, a dozen gold atoms, and a dozen iron atoms. Even
though you have the same number of each, would you expect them all to have the same
mass? Explain.
no just because they have the same amount doesnt mean they weigh the
same
Gizmo Warm-up
When counting roses, eggs, or donuts, a dozen is a good unit to use. If you
are counting atoms, however, a dozen is not much help. In the Moles Gizmo,
you will learn about a unit used to count atoms.
On the AVOGADRO CONSTANT tab, place the copper (Cu) atom on the nano-
balance on the left, which will show the average atomic mass of copper
rather than the mass of a single copper atom.
1. What is the average mass of a copper atom?
63.546u
The unit “u” refers to unified atomic mass units. A single proton or neutron has a mass of
approximately one atomic mass unit. (Officially, 1 u is one-twelfth the mass of a C-12
atom.)
2. To gain an idea as to how many atoms are in a gram or so of copper, use the larger balance
on the right. Press Add atoms to put a scoop of atoms in the weighing dish, and keep adding
until the balance registers between 1 and 2 grams. If you don’t seem to be making much
progress, adjust the exponent using the slider, which will make the scoop size bigger. How
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, many atoms did you need to add?
1023
Reproduction for educational use only. Public sharing or posting prohibited. © 2020 ExploreLearning™ All
rights reserved