The Helpful Chemist

Topic 03

Quantitative Chemistry

The maths of chemistry. Moles, masses, concentrations and yields — the calculations that sit behind every chemical reaction.

3 sub-topics · 12 lessons

Quantitative Chemistry3a. Amounts of SubstancesThe Mole

Quantitative Chemistry

Lesson 02 of 06

The Mole

3a. Amounts of Substances2 videos

Key Concepts

  • The mole as a number
  • Avogadro's constant (6.022 × 10²³)
  • Relative atomic mass (Ar)
  • Relative formula mass (Mr)
  • Moles = mass ÷ Mr
  • Mass = Mr × moles
  • Reacting masses from balanced equations
  • History: Avogadro, Ostwald, Perrin
  • Quantitative chemistry
  • Mole calculations
  • Mass to moles conversion
  • Moles to mass conversion
  • Stoichiometry

Video 1

Lesson notes

The mole is one of those ideas that sounds mysterious until someone explains it simply — and this video does exactly that. You'll discover where the concept came from, what Avogadro's constant actually means, and how the core equation (moles = mass ÷ Mr) connects the invisible world of atoms to the masses you weigh in a laboratory. By the end you'll have both the conceptual understanding and the calculation skill you need to go further in quantitative chemistry.

What You Will Learn

00:27Why chemists need a counting unit for atoms and molecules and why individuals cannot be directly counted or weighed.

01:25What a mole is and how it compares in size to everyday quantities like grains of sand.

03:05Who Avogadro, Ostwald, and Perrin were and what each contributed to the mole concept.

05:03What Avogadro's constant is and what it means for any substance.

05:20How to use moles = mass ÷ Mr and its rearrangement mass = Mr × moles.

05:51How to calculate relative formula mass (Mr) from atomic masses.

09:40How to use a balanced equation and the mole to calculate reacting masses.

10:54Why the mole is described as a bridge between the atomic world and laboratory measurements.

Video 2

Lesson notes

If moles calculations feel like a mystery, this is the video to watch. You'll work through the core equation (moles = mass ÷ Mr) with a series of exam-style examples, building from simple mass-to-moles conversions up to two-step reacting mass calculations using balanced equations. By the end you'll have a reliable method you can apply to any quantitative chemistry question.

What You Will Learn

00:37What the mole represents in chemistry and why it is used to count particles in reactions.

03:38How to convert mass into moles using the equation moles = mass ÷ Mr.

04:02How to calculate relative formula mass (Mr) for a compound.

06:45How to convert moles into mass using the equation mass = Mr × moles.

07:39Why all masses must be converted into grams before calculating moles.

08:22How to avoid the most common exam mistake of using kilograms instead of grams.

08:51How to apply mole calculations to reacting mass questions using a balanced equation.

PDF

The Mole — Questions

Practice worksheet

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PDF

The Mole — Answers

Mark scheme

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Course Topics
General Introduction
Working Scientifically
Atomic Structure
Bonding & Structure
Quantitative Chemistry
Chemical Changes
Energy Changes
Rate of Reaction
Organic Chemistry
Chemical Analysis
Earth's Atmosphere
Using Resources