Avogadro’s Number

While we were living in Houston Ann decided to go back to school, so she could become a certified RN.    They offered a program that allowed a person to receive both bachelors and nursing degrees.  At the end she would have a BS and would be an RN.   She enrolled in the program and began serious studies as a full time student.   HBU was only about five blocks from our house, so it was convenient for her to attend school there.

Some of the academic work she had previously done transferred to HBU, and she was able to challenge some of the other courses.  She attempted to test out of physics.  When she sat down to take the test, the first question was, “What is Avogadro’s number?”   She had no idea who Avogadro was, much less what his number might me.  Obviously she would have to take the natural science course, which was on her degree plan.

When she took the course, it was taught be an adjunct professor. His real day job was at NASA, where he was employed as physicist.     At the end of the first class, she hadn’t understood a word the man said.   He asked her to stay after class.  He went to the board and started explaining everything in shirt sleeve English.  She passed the course.  

One day we were driving along on Interstate 45, when a hub cap came off the car.  I turn around, and we drove to a certain point.  She said, “According to the laws of physics the hub cap should be somewhere along her.”  Sure enough it was right where she said it would be.  She claims that’s the only practical use she’s ever made of her studies in physics.  We left Houston before she completed her degree program, but HBU was a good experience for her.

Perhaps one or two you are as dumb as I am, and have no idea what Avogardo’s number.  It’s 6.0221415 × 10²³ 

 Now you know. No longer can anyone claim this blog is without redeeming social value.