The Measure of a Mole, October 2019

Anticipation Guide Name: ______________________________

Directions: Before reading the article, in the first column, write “A” or “D,” indicating your Agreement or
Disagreement with each statement. Complete the activity in the box.
As you read, compare your opinions with information from the article. In the space under each statement, cite
information from the article that supports or refutes your original ideas.

Me Text Statement
1. The mole is a metric unit used to count things.

2. The mass of a kilogram was set as the mass of an iridium-platinum cylinder (IPK)
made in 1889.

3. Today’s definition of a mole is related to carbon-12.

4. A unit cell of silicon has 18 atoms inside.

5. The concept of a mole is based on a fundamental constant of nature (Avogadro’s

constant).

6. To simplify the math, Einstein used the Avogadro constant in his doctoral thesis.

7. Natural silicon has only one isotope.

8. The silicon sphere used to determine the Avogadro constant had the same mass as
the IPK that defined the kilogram for more than a century.

9. The silicon spheres used to calculate the Avogadro constant in the 21st century
required the collaboration of scientists from Russia, Germany, and Australia.

10. The new definition of the kilogram is based on Planck’s constant.

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 The Measure of a Mole, October 2019

Student Reading
Comprehension Questions Name: ______________________________

Directions: Use the article to answer the questions below.

1. How many atoms are in 2-dozen atoms? How many molecules are in 1.5-dozen molecules?

2. What physical object was used to define a kilogram before the new system was created?

3. Why is the old definition of a mole related to the definition of a kilogram?

4. Why can’t you work with a single water molecule in your lab?

5. How do you calculate the volume of a cube?

6. What is the difference between 28Si and 29Si?

7. Why did scientists use only one of silicon’s three isotopes to make the new standard sphere?

8. Why is the silicon sphere a better measurement standard than the original IPK?

9. Explain how density is used to calculate the number of atoms in a mole.

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 The Measure of a Mole, October 2019

Student Reading Comprehension Questions, cont.

Questions for Further Learning

Write your answers on another piece of paper if needed.

1. Pure solids often have well-known structures based on how the atoms or ions are arranged. If the
arrangement is orderly and repeating, it is crystalline. If there is no regular or repeating arrangement, it is
amorphous.
a. Research the following allotropes of carbon and classify them as having crystalline or amorphous
structure:
Allotrope Crystalline or Amorphous?
Diamond
Coal
Graphite
Buckminsterfullerene

b. Silicon has two allotropes, simply called crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon. Propose a reason
that scientists would choose to use silicon instead of carbon when creating an ideal crystal.

2. Many units that are used in science are derived units. That means that they are dependent on two or more
of the seven base SI units. Some of these have a special name and others are simply a derivation of the
units. When redefining the kilogram, a different method was used to set the standard. This method used an
instrument called a watt balance. The watt balance relies on the interrelationships between several of the
SI units. The equation used was:
𝑈𝐼 = 𝑚𝑎𝑔 𝑣
where U = electric potential; I = current; m = mass; ag = gravitational acceleration; and 𝑣= velocity.

Using the tables below, show that the units on each side of the equation are equivalent to watts.

SI Base Units SI Derived Units

Quantity Name Symbol Quantity Name Symbol SI units
Length meter m 𝑘𝑔‧𝑚2
Energy Joule J
Mass kilogram kg 𝑠2
Time second s 𝐽
Power Watt W
Electric 𝑠
ampere A
current Electric
Coulomb C A‧s
Temperature kelvin K charge
Amount of Electric 𝐽
mole mol Volts V
substance potential 𝐶
Luminous 𝑚
candela cd Velocity - v
intensity 𝑠
𝑚
Acceleration - a
𝑠2

3. Write an essay with at least two resources cited to answer the question: Why is it important for scientists to
develop definitions for standard measurements that do not rely on a physical object?

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 The Measure of a Mole, October 2019

Graphic Organizer Name: ______________________________

Directions: As you read, complete the graphic organizer below to describe a mole in chemistry.

Description, including chemicals used and problems

Year
encountered (if applicable)

International Prototype of
the Kilogram (IPK)

Jean Perrin’s experiments

Ideal Crystal –Attempt by

NIST

Ideal Crystal – Effort by

International Avogadro
coordination

New definition of the

kilogram

New definition of the

mole

Summary: Write a short summary (18 words or less) explaining why the standard for the kilogram (and
therefore the mole) had to change.