Chemistry Conversion Calculator

Chemistry Conversion Calculator

Use this calculator to convert between mass (grams), moles, and the number of particles (atoms or molecules) for a given substance. You'll need to provide one known value and the substance's molar mass.

Understanding Chemical Conversions: Mass, Moles, and Particles

In chemistry, it's often necessary to convert between different ways of quantifying a substance. The three most common quantities are mass, moles, and the number of individual particles (atoms, molecules, or ions). This calculator helps you navigate these fundamental conversions.

What is a Mole?

The mole (mol) is the SI unit for the amount of substance. It's a central concept in chemistry because it provides a convenient way to convert between the mass of a substance and the number of particles it contains. One mole of any substance contains exactly 6.022 x 10²³ representative particles. This number is known as Avogadro's Number (N_A).

What is Molar Mass?

Molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, expressed in grams per mole (g/mol). For an element, the molar mass is numerically equal to its atomic mass found on the periodic table. For a compound, the molar mass is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in its chemical formula.

For example, the molar mass of water (H₂O) is approximately:

• 2 × (1.008 g/mol for H) + 1 × (15.999 g/mol for O) = 18.015 g/mol

Avogadro's Number

Avogadro's Number (6.022 x 10²³) is a fundamental constant that represents the number of particles (atoms, molecules, ions, etc.) in one mole of any substance. It acts as a bridge between the macroscopic world (grams) and the microscopic world (individual particles).

Conversion Formulas Used:

The calculator uses the following relationships:

1. Mass to Moles: Moles = Mass (g) / Molar Mass (g/mol)
2. Moles to Mass: Mass (g) = Moles (mol) × Molar Mass (g/mol)
3. Moles to Particles: Number of Particles = Moles (mol) × Avogadro's Number
4. Particles to Moles: Moles (mol) = Number of Particles / Avogadro's Number

By combining these, you can also convert directly between mass and particles, always using moles as an intermediate step.

Examples:

Let's look at some practical examples using the calculator:

Example 1: Converting Mass to Moles and Particles

You have 50.0 grams of sodium chloride (NaCl). The molar mass of NaCl is 58.44 g/mol.

• Known Value: 50.0
• Known Unit: Mass (grams)
• Molar Mass: 58.44

Calculation:

• Moles = 50.0 g / 58.44 g/mol = 0.8556 mol
• Particles = 0.8556 mol × 6.022 x 10²³ particles/mol = 5.152 x 10²³ particles

The calculator would output: Mass: 50.0 g, Moles: 0.8556 mol, Number of Particles: 5.152e+23

Example 2: Converting Moles to Mass and Particles

You have 0.25 moles of glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆). The molar mass of glucose is 180.16 g/mol.

• Known Value: 0.25
• Known Unit: Moles (mol)
• Molar Mass: 180.16

Calculation:

• Mass = 0.25 mol × 180.16 g/mol = 45.04 g
• Particles = 0.25 mol × 6.022 x 10²³ particles/mol = 1.5055 x 10²³ particles

The calculator would output: Mass: 45.04 g, Moles: 0.25 mol, Number of Particles: 1.5055e+23

Example 3: Converting Particles to Mass and Moles

You have 1.2044 x 10²⁴ molecules of carbon dioxide (CO₂). The molar mass of CO₂ is 44.01 g/mol.

• Known Value: 1.2044e24
• Known Unit: Number of Particles
• Molar Mass: 44.01

Calculation:

• Moles = 1.2044 x 10²⁴ particles / 6.022 x 10²³ particles/mol = 2.00 mol
• Mass = 2.00 mol × 44.01 g/mol = 88.02 g

The calculator would output: Mass: 88.02 g, Moles: 2.00 mol, Number of Particles: 1.2044e+24