Re: Source of Avogadro's number

[rkathren@tricity.wsu.edu (Ron L. Kathren)]

Scott --

As I recall, it is the number of atoms in one gram atomic weight (ie the
atomic weight expressed as grams) of whatever.

Ron Kathren


>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
>
>
>