_____________
25 points
Name______________________________________
Date_______________
Period______
The Mole Project- Part One
Purpose:
The purpose of the mole project is to shine a positive light on chemistry while learning. This
famous project is designed to be fun, let students show their creative skills, and to help
students understand a giant number used in chemistry calculations. This giant number is
called a mole or Avogadro’s number. One mole of anything is 6.022 x 1023. This number is so
large it is only used for quantities of tiny things like atoms, molecules, and formula units.
During this part of the project you will measure out one mole of kitty litter, yes kitty litter. Kitty
litter is a material used to absorb messes, and it is composed of mainly bentonite. You will
measure out 1 mole of bentonite in a plastic bag then you will use the bentonite to stuff your
mole.
Needed Materials:
Bentonite (kitty litter)
Scale
Plastic Ziploc bag
Calculator
Avogadro’s number = 6.022 x 1023
Let us get started! First we will need to do some calculations found on the
back of this page.
Measuring Procedure: (after you have completed your calculations)
1. Weigh a small Ziploc bag making sure to check how precise your scale is and record
mass in grams. Mass of the Ziploc bag = ______________
2. Using your scale mass out one mole of bentonite. The molar mass is number one in your
calculations. Make sure to account for the mass of the Ziploc bag.
3. Your bag should now contain one mole of bentonite. Seal your bag tight, take the one
mole of bentonite home and use it to stuff your scientist mole.
Calculations:
1. Calculate the molar mass of bentonite using
the molecular formula: Al2O34SiO2
_______________________
Molar mass of bentonite =
_________
This is one mole of bentonite.
2. Convert one mole of bentonite to molecules
using Avogadro’s number.
_______________________
Number of molecules in one
mole of bentonite =
_________
3. Convert one mole of bentonite to atoms using
Avogadro’s number.
_______________________
Number of atoms in one
mole of bentonite =
_________
4. If you had 2.77 moles of bentonite how many
grams, molecules, and atoms would you
have?
________________________
Grams =
_________
________________________
Molecules =
_________
________________________
Atoms =
_________
The Mole Project- Part 2, 3, & 4
To celebrate International Mole Day, your project is to make a mole, explain the
meaning of the mole to your parents, teachers, and friends, and to have a moley
good time at our mole day celebration.
Part 2 – Making the Mole (25 points)
Construct a mole using the instructions and pattern attached. You will stuff
your mole with the bag of kitty litter you created in Part 1. You will need to
create an outfit for your mole to represent the scientist you have chosen. If
you wish to make your mole any size other than the attached pattern you
will need to get approval prior to you creating your mole.
Part 3 – Explaining the Mole (25 points)
Get the required signatures from teachers, parents, and friends by
explaining the significance of a mole in chemistry, introducing your scientist
mole, and explaining the significance your bentonite calculation stuffed
inside.
Part 4 – Celebrating Mole Day (25 points)
You must complete ONE of the following activities:
1. Make a Mole Day card, poster, or banner about the contributions of your
scientist.
2. Write a Mole Day poem / song about the contributions of your scientist.
3. Draw a Mole Day cartoon about the contribution of your scientist.
4. Build an appropriate habitat for your mole showing the significant
experiment conducted by the scientist.
Points will be given appropriate to the effort
displayed!
The Mole Project – Part 3
Signature Page
____________________ has defined the mole in terms of its
(YOUR NAME)
importance as a unit of measurement in chemistry. I was also
introduced to the scientist mole named: ________________________
(YOUR MOLE’S NAME)
Parent or Guardian (3 points):
________________________
TMHS Science Teacher (5 points):
________________________
TMHS Teachers (3 points each):
________________________
________________________
________________________
TMHS Chemistry Teacher- NOT your own! (8 points):
________________________