Re: Source of Avogadro's number

[Ellen_Hochheiser@RL.gov]

     The number of atoms in exactly 12 grams of C-12
     
     Ellen Hochheiser
     Ellen_Hochheiser@rl.gov
     These are my opinions and only my opinions and do not reflect my 
     current or future companies opinions


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Subject: Source of Avogadro's number
Author:  "Scott O. Schwahn" <schwahn@CEBAF.GOV> at -MailLink
Date:    9/27/96 10:52 AM


Although this thread is getting quite old, I would like to know what the 
SOURCE of Avogadro's number is.  For instance, the second is defined as a 
certain number of oscillations (disintegrations?) of something - I forget 
what - and the  meter is defined as length of - - well, I've forgotten that, 
too.
     
So what defines the number of atoms in a mole?  Convention?  A physical 
measurement?
     
Scott O. Schwahn, CHP
Accelerator Division, M.S. 12A1
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility 
12000 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, VA 23606
(757)269-7551 (w)
(757)269-7363 (fax)
schwahn@cebaf.gov
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Subject: Source of Avogadro's number
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