How to Celebrate Mole Day

Annually on October 23 from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. there are those that celebrate Mole Day. It is based on Avogodro number: 6.02 times 10 to the 23 power. Mole Day is a celebration of chemistry. In chemistry, a mole is a basic unit of measure defined as a mass (in grams) equal to the atomic weight of a molecule. For example, the atomic weight of water is 18, then one mole of water is 18 grams. One mole of a substance contains Avogodro number of molecules of atoms of that substance. Amadeo Avogodro was an Italian scientist who published his hypothesis on atoms in 1811. Fifty years after his hypothesis was published (and two years after his death) scientists realized that his work could help them in solving their research. Avogodro is referred to as the Father of Chemistry. Official Mole Day celebrations began in high school chemistry classrooms. In 1991, the National Mole Day Foundation was formed. The Foundation organizes and supports Mole Day celebrations across the country. What does one do to celebrate Mole Day? Lots.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. On October 23 set your alarm clock for 6:00 a.m. in preparation for the 6:02 a.m. start of the celebration.

2. At 6:02 a.m. observe a moment of silence in honor of Avogodro's number and moles.

3. Dress in a Mole Day T-shirt or wear a Mole Day hat.

4. Send Mole Day greetings card (handmade paper or electronic) to others that appreciate the role chemistry plays in the world.

5. Hang a Mole Day flag or banner.

6. At lunch, tell Mole jokes such as these from the National Mole Day Foundation's website:
   
   Q: Why is it bad to tell mole jokes?
   A: It's mole-itically incorrect
   
   Q: What is a mole's favorite movie?
   A: The Green Mole
   
   Q: What did Avogodro teach his students in math class?
   A: Moletiplication
   
   Q: What kind of fruit did Avogodro eat in the summer?
   A: Watermolens

7. The National Mole Day Foundation's website also suggests eating a variety of Mole Day foods such as Moleasses cookies, Avogodro Dip or Taco-mole sauce.

8. If at 6:02 p.m. you still remember it is Mole Day, end the celebration with another moment of silence to reflect on Avogodro's contribution to science, or what you are going to eat for dinner.

Resources

• Become a member of the National Mole Day Foundation at this website, which is also filled with more ways to celebrate this important day.

[kennovak]

on 10/23/2009 Here's a cheer:
"Mole Day Mole Day, have you heard? Six point oh two times ten to the twenty-third!" and its retort, "Mole Day Mole Day? You're a nerd! Six point oh two times ten to the twenty-third!".

Also, make some guacamole (double pun, as it's made from avocado).

[geek1]

on 10/16/2008 I found a talking version of Amadeo Avogadro - 'CYBER AVOGADRO' at http://mathematicianspictures.com/GEEKDAYS/Mole_Day.htm
where Avogadro speaks the words of his hypothesis that led to the definition of the mole, and the calculation of Avogadro's Number.