NATIONAL MOLE DAY

National Mole Day

NATIONAL MOLE DAY

We'll eliminate any visions of a burrowing creature celebration immediately; National Mole Day recognizes a special number in chemistry. Chemists and chemistry students mark the occasion each year on October 23rd. 

#NationalMoleDay

More specifically, the celebrations take place between 6:02 AM and 6:02 PM. In the U.S., the time and date are written 6:02 10/23. The time and date are derived from Avogadro’s number. Avogadro's number is approximately 6.02×10^23. Hence, defining the number of particles (atoms or molecules) in one mole of a substance, one of the seven base SI units.

  • A mole is a unit of measurement used in chemistry to express amounts of a chemical substance.
  • Avogadro’s number is a historical term closely related to the Avogadro constant.
  • The Avogadro constant is named after the early 19th-century Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro.

HOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL MOLE DAY

There are several ways to celebrate this scientific day. Do you know how to use the mole in an equation?

  • Learn more about molecular science and Avogadro's number.
  • Explore the international system of measurement using moles.
  • Test your knowledge of chemistry. Celebrate with other chemists and chemistry students.
  • Conduct a mole experiment. While conducting it, see how many puns you can tell.
  • In your classroom, do a video with your students demonstrating what a mole is. 
  • Create a rap about the mole. Be sure to include a little history of Amedeo Avogadro.
  • While reading up on Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro, explore other chemists of his era.
  • Wear a t-shirt with 6.02×10^23 on it. 

Share your knowledge using #NationalMoleDay to post on social media.

NATIONAL MOLE DAY HISTORY

An article in The Science Teacher in the early 1980s sparked National Mole Day. A chemistry teacher at Prairie du Chien Senior High School became inspired by the article and founded the National Mole Day Foundation on May 15, 1991. 

Mole FAQ

Q. How many zeros are in a mole?
A. There are 22 zeros in a mole. It is written in standard form as follows:
602,000,000,000,000,000,000,000.

Q. How many moles are in a zero?
A. We do not know how many moles are in a zero.

Q. What are the groups of numbers separated by commas in a large number called?
A. Each segment of a number between commas (which denote place value) are called periods.