✏️ The Graphite Challenge

Virtual Lab — How Many Atoms in a Pencil Line?

🧪 Procedure: Weigh Before & After

Follow the steps below to determine how many carbon atoms are deposited when you draw a single line with a pencil.

Initial Mass
5.000
grams
→
Final Mass
4.998
grams
→
Mass Difference
0.002
grams
Pencil with graphite tip

📄 Paper Surface

Draw a line across the paper. The graphite deposited leaves a visible mark.

🔢 Step-by-Step Conversion

01

Step 1: Grams of Carbon → Moles of Carbon

Use the molar mass of carbon (12.01 g/mol)

02

Step 2: Moles of Carbon → Atoms of Carbon

Use Avogadro's number (6.022 × 10²³ atoms/mol)

03

Step 3: Final Answer

🤯 The Astonishing Result

📝 Analyze & Conclude (Exit Ticket)

1. Why does such a tiny mass of graphite contain so many atoms?

2. If you drew 10 lines instead of 1, how would the number of atoms change? Explain using the mole concept.

3. How does this activity help you understand the scale of Avogadro's number?

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