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Number density calculator

Find atoms or free electrons per cubic metre from mass density, molar mass and the number of carriers per atom.

Calculator

Carrier number density (1/m3)
84,912,317,391,495,930,000,000,000,000.00000000
Scientific notation
QuantityValue in stated units
Carrier number density (1/m3)8.49123174e+28

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How this calculator works

Convert mass density to molar density, then use the exact Avogadro constant to count atoms. A carrier multiplier estimates free electrons if a simple conduction model assigns a fixed number per atom. Molar mass is entered in g/mol. This chemical counting model is distinct from thermal generation of intrinsic carriers in a semiconductor.

Formula

n = z rho NA / M, where M is in kg/mol and NA = 6.02214076 x 10^23 mol^-1.

Worked example

For rho = 1000 kg/m3 and M = 100 g/mol, one carrier per atom gives n = 6.02214076 x 10^27/m3. Two carriers per atom double it.

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Frequently asked questions

How do I count atoms instead of electrons?

Set carriers per atom to one to obtain the atom count per unit volume.

Is valence always the conduction-electron count?

No. Band structure determines mobile carrier behaviour; a simple valence count may not describe a real material.

Why does molar mass use g/mol?

That is the common chemical convention. The calculation converts it to kg/mol to match mass density in SI.

Sources

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