The Mole – Cambridge IGCSE/A‑Level Physics (9702)
Learning Objectives
- Understand that **amount of substance** is one of the seven SI base quantities.
- Know that its base unit is the **mole (mol)**, defined by an exact number of elementary entities.
- Convert between mass, amount of substance and number of particles, and apply the mole in equations such as the ideal‑gas law.
Syllabus Context (Matter strand)
| Syllabus Item | Notes Section |
| 15.1 The mole – definition, Avogadro constant, molar mass | Definition of the mole; exact value of \(N_{\!A}\); molar‑mass conversion |
| 15.2 Using the mole in gas laws (ideal‑gas equation) | Ideal‑gas law with worked example; model‑limits box |
| AO‑3 practical skills – experimental determination of Avogadro’s number, vapour‑density method | Practical checklist, data‑sheet template, error‑analysis guide |
| Mathematical tools – algebra, proportional reasoning, scientific notation | Algebraic rearrangements; proportional‑reasoning exercise; scientific‑notation activity |
| Key concepts – models, testing, matter/energy | Conceptual links box |
Definition of the Mole
The mole is the amount of substance that contains exactly
\(N_{\!A}=6.02214076\times10^{23}\) elementary entities
where an “entity” may be an atom, molecule, ion, electron, etc. The value of \(N_{\!A}\) is **exact by definition** (it is not a measured quantity).
Why the Mole Is an SI Base Quantity
- It provides a direct bridge between the microscopic world (individual particles) and macroscopic quantities we can measure (mass, volume, pressure).
- It is defined independently of any other physical quantity – the numerical value of \(N_{\!A}\) is fixed.
- It is one of the seven SI base quantities (metre, kilogram, second, ampere, kelvin, candela, mole).
Relationship to Mass – Molar Mass
For a pure substance the mass of one mole is the molar mass \(M\) (units g mol⁻¹). The fundamental conversion is
\(n=\dfrac{m}{M}\qquad\text{or}\qquad m=nM\)
- \(n\) = amount of substance (mol)
- \(m\) = mass of the sample (g)
- \(M\) = molar mass (g mol⁻¹)
Common Molar Masses
| Substance | Formula | Molar mass \(M\) (g mol⁻¹) |
| Hydrogen gas | H2 | 2.016 |
| Oxygen gas | O2 | 31.998 |
| Carbon dioxide | CO2 | 44.009 |
| Water | H2O | 18.015 |
| Sodium chloride | NaCl | 58.44 |
Worked Example Calculations
- Number of molecules in 5.00 g of water
- Calculate moles:
\(n=\dfrac{5.00\ \text{g}}{18.015\ \text{g mol}^{-1}}=0.277\ \text{mol}\)
- Convert to particles:
\(N=n\,N_{\!A}=0.277\times6.02214076\times10^{23}=1.67\times10^{23}\) molecules
- Mass of 2.5 mol of carbon dioxide
\(m=nM=2.5\ \text{mol}\times44.009\ \text{g mol}^{-1}=110.0\ \text{g}\)
- Pressure of 2.0 mol of an ideal gas at 300 K occupying 10.0 L
Using \(pV=nRT\) with \(R=8.314\ \text{J mol}^{-1}\text{K}^{-1}=0.08206\ \text{L atm mol}^{-1}\text{K}^{-1}\):
\(p=\dfrac{nRT}{V}= \dfrac{2.0\times0.08206\times300}{10.0}=4.92\ \text{atm}\)
Using the Mole in Gas Laws
In the ideal‑gas equation
\(pV=nRT\)
the variable \(n\) is the amount of substance (mol). This links the microscopic count of particles to macroscopic pressure, volume and temperature.
Model Limits (Key Concept: models of physical systems)
- The ideal‑gas law assumes point‑like particles with no intermolecular forces.
- It works well at low pressure and high temperature.
- At high pressure or low temperature real gases deviate; corrections are given by the Van der Waals equation.
Practical Skills Link (AO‑3)
Typical experiment – vapour‑density method
Goal: Determine the molar mass of a volatile liquid and, from it, an experimental value of \(N_{\!A}\).
Checklist for Planning & Evaluation
- Apparatus
- Analytical balance (±0.001 g)
- Heated bulb or evaporating dish
- Thermometer, barometer
- Glassware for collecting vapour (e.g., eudiometer)
- Procedure (summary)
- Weigh the empty bulb (mass \(m_0\)).
- Add a known mass of liquid (mass \(m_{\text{liq}}\)).
- Heat gently until the liquid vaporises completely and the vapour fills the bulb.
- Cool the bulb, then weigh the bulb with vapour (mass \(m_1\)).
- Record temperature \(T\) and pressure \(p\) of the vapour.
- Calculations
- Mass of vapour: \(m_{\text{vap}} = m_1 - m_0\).
- Density of vapour: \(\rho_{\text{vap}} = \dfrac{m_{\text{vap}}}{V_{\text{bulb}}}\) (bulb volume known).
- Use the ideal‑gas law to find the molar mass:
\[
M = \frac{\rho_{\text{vap}}\,RT}{p}
\]
- Experimental Avogadro number:
\[
N_{\!A}^{\text{exp}} = \frac{M}{m_{\text{u}}}
\]
where \(m_{\text{u}} = 1.66053906660\times10^{-24}\ \text{g}\) (atomic mass unit).
- Error analysis
- Random errors: balance reading, temperature fluctuations.
- Systematic errors: incomplete vapourisation, heat loss, leakage.
- Propagate uncertainties through the molar‑mass formula (use partial‑derivative method or percentage‑error approximation).
- Evaluation (Paper 5 style)
- Discuss how well the assumptions of the ideal‑gas law are satisfied.
- Identify the dominant source of error and suggest improvements (e.g., using a thermostatted bath, more accurate volume measurement).
Mathematical Toolbox
- Scientific notation & significant figures – e.g., \(6.02214076\times10^{23}\) (exact) vs. \(6.02\times10^{23}\) (3 sf).
- Algebraic rearrangement – from \(pV=nRT\) obtain \(p=\dfrac{nRT}{V}\), \(V=\dfrac{nRT}{p}\), \(T=\dfrac{pV}{nR}\).
- Proportional‑reasoning exercise
If 0.5 mol of an ideal gas occupies 12.0 L at 273 K and 1.00 atm, what pressure will 1.0 mol occupy at the same temperature if the volume is reduced to 6.0 L?
Solution:
\(p_1V_1=n_1RT\) → \(p_1 =\dfrac{n_1RT}{V_1}\).
Because \(n\) and \(T\) are unchanged, \(p\propto\frac{1}{V}\); halving the volume doubles the pressure: \(p_1 = 2.00\ \text{atm}\).
- Scientific‑notation manipulation activity
Write \(6.022\times10^{23}\) to 8 significant figures and then back to 3 significant figures.
Answer: \(6.0221408\times10^{23}\) → \(6.02\times10^{23}\).
- Error propagation (basic) – for \(M=\dfrac{\rho RT}{p}\), the relative uncertainty is
\[
\frac{\Delta M}{M}= \sqrt{\left(\frac{\Delta\rho}{\rho}\right)^2+\left(\frac{\Delta T}{T}\right)^2+\left(\frac{\Delta p}{p}\right)^2 }.
\]
Conceptual Links
- Models & testing: The mole is a model that quantifies a collection of particles; experiments such as the vapour‑density method test the model’s validity.
- Matter & energy: Molar mass links the mass of a macroscopic sample to the energy per particle in chemical reactions.
- Mathematics: Linear relationships in the ideal‑gas law demonstrate how mathematics translates a physical model into quantitative predictions.
Key Points to Remember
- 1 mol = \(6.02214076\times10^{23}\) elementary entities (exact by definition).
- Molar mass \(M\) (g mol⁻¹) enables the conversions: \(n=m/M\) and \(m=nM\).
- In the ideal‑gas equation \(pV=nRT\), \(n\) is the amount of substance in moles.
- The mole is an SI base unit, independent of other quantities, and underpins many A‑level calculations.
Syllabus‑to‑Notes Checklist (excerpt)
| Syllabus Item | Status |
| 15.1 The mole – definition, Avogadro constant, molar mass | ✓ Complete (exact \(N_{\!A}\) noted) |
| 15.2 Mole in gas laws (ideal‑gas equation) | ✓ Complete (worked example, model‑limits box) |
| AO‑3 practical – vapour‑density method | ✓ Expanded (checklist, data‑sheet ideas, error analysis) |
| Mathematical tools – algebra, proportional reasoning, scientific notation | ✓ Added exercises and propagation formula |
| Conceptual links (models, testing, matter/energy) | ✓ Included |