Are there really only 4 grains of salt in the entire universe?

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In summary, the conversation discusses the discrepancy between Carl Sagan's estimations of the number of atoms and elementary particles in a grain of salt and the universe. While Sagan's estimate of atoms in a grain of salt is around 1018, the estimate of elementary particles in the universe is around 1080. This raises the question of how these two numbers can be compatible, with the conclusion being that the universe must have significantly more atoms than a single grain of salt.
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Ilikedogs
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What's up everybody,

I have a curiosity that struck me today and I figure some people here could probably provide some insight on. Today I was reading the book Broca's brain by Carl Sagan, and in it he pegs the number of atoms in a grain of salt to be around 1018. However, in the same passage, he provides the number of "elementary particles" to be around 1080. I think he may have meant atoms by that, since I've seen numbers very close to that considered to be the number of atoms in the OU. I'm not extremely adept at math, but how are these two numbers compatable? Wouldn't the universe then necessarily be comprised of only about 4 grains of salt?

I know that this book was written about 30 years ago or so, and that a lot has changed in the interim, but I asked my dad (who works as a chemist for AstraZeneca), and he said that Sagans estimate of atoms in salt was basically on point. The 1080 estimate is also found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Observable_universe (last paragraph in the intro). So, what gives?
 
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I may have mis-understood what you said, but if you're suggesting that 1018 * 4 = 1072, this isn't true at all. By Sagan's estimation, and if the number of atoms in the universe is 1080, then the universe has 1062 more atoms than there are in a grain of salt.
 
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Nah, you understood. Exponential notation is strange animal to me, lol.
 

FAQ: Are there really only 4 grains of salt in the entire universe?

How many atoms are in the OU?

The number of atoms in the OU varies depending on the specific substance or material being referred to. Atoms are the basic building blocks of matter and can combine to form molecules. The exact number of atoms in the OU can be determined by using Avogadro's number, which is approximately 6.02 x 10^23.

How is the number of atoms in the OU calculated?

The number of atoms in the OU is calculated by using Avogadro's number and the molar mass of a substance. The molar mass is the mass of one mole of a substance, which is equal to its atomic mass in grams. By dividing the mass of a substance by its molar mass, you can determine the number of moles. Then, multiplying the number of moles by Avogadro's number will give you the number of atoms in the OU.

Is the number of atoms in the OU the same for all substances?

No, the number of atoms in the OU is not the same for all substances. This is because different substances have different atomic masses and molar masses. For example, one mole of carbon will have a different number of atoms compared to one mole of oxygen.

Can the number of atoms in the OU change?

The number of atoms in the OU remains constant for a specific substance. However, atoms can combine or break apart to form new molecules, which can change the number of atoms in the OU for that particular substance. In a chemical reaction, the total number of atoms on each side of the equation must remain the same.

Why is it important to know the number of atoms in the OU?

Knowing the number of atoms in the OU is important for many reasons. It helps us understand the properties and behavior of different substances, as well as their reactions with other substances. It also allows us to accurately measure and calculate quantities in chemistry, such as molar mass, moles, and concentrations. Additionally, knowing the number of atoms in the OU can aid in the development of new materials and technologies.

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