Name:

Lab group & time:

Date:

Practical Activity #1

TITLE: MOLES SKILL ASSESSED: AI

Introduction: Because atoms are so small, we would need larger numbers to count them.
Working with really big numbers can be frustrating. Because of this, in chemistry we have a
unit called a “mole”. A mole of atoms means 6.02 x 10 23 atoms/ molecules/ particles. You
have been doing many calculations over the last two weeks with regards to this and will now
be required to calculate the moles of calcium carbonate used within a writing exercise.

Aim: To determine the number of moles of chalk are used to write your name.
Materials: Piece of chalk, Electronic Scale

Procedure:

1. Obtain a piece of chalk.

2. Measure and record the mass of your chalk.

3. Write your full name on a black board.

4. Again, measure and record the mass of your chalk.

Results:

A Mass of chalk before writing your name (g)

B Mass of chalk after writing your name (g)

C Grams of chalk required to write your name

(g)

Show your working for all calculation questions

 1. Chalk is composed primarily of Calcium Carbonate. The formula for Calcium
Carbonate is CaCO3. How many of each atom comprise CaCO3?

2. Calculate the molar mass of calcium carbonate.

3. Calculate the number of moles of chalk used to write your name.

4. Would your answer in (3) be different if you used a different colour chalk? Justify your
answer.

5. What number of oxygen particles was used to write your name?

6. What if any, are the sources of error for this laboratory experiment?