Ask A Scientist© Chemistry Archive

name         Lynn
status       other
age          30s

Question -   Why is someone born on October 23 sometimes refered to as
a "Mole Baby"?
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Because October 23 is "Mole Day," the day we celebrate the science of
chemistry.

Richard E. Barrans Jr., Ph.D.
Assistant Director
PG Research Foundation, Darien, Illinois
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I never heard of such a thing....but the number of particles in
a mole of particles, Avogadro's number, is approximately 6.022 x 10^23...
since October 23 is 10/23, maybe some nerdy types might call
such a child a "mole baby." Personally, I'm not that nerdy.

prof. topper
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Lynn,
    Every October 23, from 6:02 AM to 6:02 PM is National Mole Day. It is a
day to celebrate chemistry and the mole (Avogadro's Number) 6.022 E23. Here
is the URL for the National Mole Day Foundation. ( I happen to a be card
carrying member!) Membership has its advantages!
NMDF  ----> http://artoo.gisd.k12.mi.us/~nmdf/

It will tell you more than you probably want to know!

Sincerely,

Bob Blaus
York High School
Elmhurst, IL
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Never heard the term but I suspect it is because Avagadro's number is ~
6x10^23. Hence, October [the 10th] month and the exponent [ 10^23].

Vince Calder
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That's a new one on me.  However, the American Chemical Society calls Oct 23
'Mole Day'.  In chemistry one mole (Avogadro's #) is 6.023 X 10^23.  Someone
decided that it would be fun to equate this to 6:23 AM on 10/23 and have an
annual consciousness raising celebration/media event.
Previously, I've only seen this reference in chemistry trade publications and
in educational institutions where chemistry is taught.

Bradburn
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