How many atoms exist in a #23*g# mass of sodium metal?

2 Answers
Sep 5, 2016

Yes (and sort of no)

Explanation:

1 mole of Na = #6.022140857(74)×10^"23"# atoms .

Note the use of the word atoms .

1 mole of #Na^+# would be #6.022140857(74)×10^"23"# ions .

I may seem to be overly pedantic in this, but science is all about accuracy.

The number - #6.022140857(74)×10^"23"# - is called the Avogadro constant and you can read more about it on Wikipedia.

Sep 5, 2016

#1*"mole"# of sodium metal #-=# #6.022xx10^23# atoms NOT ions.

Explanation:

#1*"mole"# of #Na^+# #-=# #6.022xx10^23# ions.

Of course we can make ions from atoms and atoms from ions and vice versa.

#Na(g) rarr Na^(+)(g) + e^(-)(g)#.

Given #22.99*g# of metal, there are molar quantities of atoms, ions, and electrons. The given stoichiometry demands this.