C60 Molecule Mass: What Is the Mass of One Molecule of C60?

C60 molecule mass is calculated from the molar mass of Fullerene C60 and Avogadro’s constant. The short answer is:

The mass of one molecule of C60 is approximately 1.20 × 10^-21 grams, or 1.20 × 10^-24 kilograms.

This value comes from a simple conversion. Fullerene C60 has the molecular formula C60, meaning one C60 molecule contains 60 carbon atoms. Its molar mass is about 720.66 g/mol, and one mole contains 6.02214076 × 10²³ molecules.^[1][2]

To find the mass of one C60 molecule, divide the molar mass by Avogadro’s constant:

720.66 g/mol ÷ 6.02214076 × 10²³ molecules/mol = 1.1967 × 10^-21 g per molecule

Rounded to three significant figures, the answer is:

1.20 × 10^-21 g per C60 molecule

Quick Answer: Mass of One C60 Molecule

Question	Answer
What is the formula of the C60 molecule?	C60
How many carbon atoms are in one C60 molecule?	60 carbon atoms
What is the molar mass of C60?	Approximately 720.66 g/mol
What is the mass of one molecule of C60?	Approximately 1.1967 × 10-21 g
Rounded value	About 1.20 × 10-21 g
Mass in kilograms	About 1.20 × 10-24 kg

The exact number may differ slightly depending on rounding, but 1.20 × 10^-21 grams is the standard practical answer for most chemistry explanations.

What Is a C60 Molecule?

A C60 molecule is a fullerene molecule made of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a closed cage. It is also called Fullerene C60, buckminsterfullerene, Carbon 60, or buckyball.

The name “C60” comes directly from its formula: C means carbon, and 60 means there are 60 carbon atoms in one molecule.

PubChem identifies Fullerene C60 with molecular formula C60 and molecular weight around 720.6 g/mol.^[3] Fisher Scientific lists Fullerene C60 under CAS number 99685-96-8, molecular formula C60, and molecular weight 720.66 g/mol.^[1]

Structurally, the C60 molecule is often compared to a soccer ball. It is a spherical carbon cage made from pentagons and hexagons. This shape is why C60 is known as buckminsterfullerene, named after architect R. Buckminster Fuller, whose geodesic dome designs resemble the geometry of the molecule.

How to Calculate the Mass of One Molecule of C60

The calculation has three steps.

Step 1: Find the molar mass of C60

A C60 molecule contains 60 carbon atoms. The atomic weight of carbon is about 12.011 g/mol according to IUPAC’s standard atomic weight table.^[4]

So the approximate molar mass is:

60 × 12.011 g/mol = 720.66 g/mol

This matches commonly listed Fullerene C60 molecular weight values.

Step 2: Use Avogadro’s constant

Avogadro’s constant tells us how many molecules are in one mole:

6.02214076 × 10²³ molecules/mol

NIST lists this value as exact.^[2]

Step 3: Divide molar mass by Avogadro’s constant

To find the mass of one C60 molecule:

Mass of one C60 molecule = 720.66 ÷ 6.02214076 × 10²³

This gives:

1.1967 × 10^-21 g

So the mass of one molecule of C60 is approximately 1.20 × 10^-21 grams.

Why C60 Has a Molar Mass of About 720.66 g/mol

The molar mass of a C60 molecule is easy to understand once the formula is clear. C60 contains 60 carbon atoms. Each carbon atom contributes about 12.011 g/mol to the molar mass.

The calculation is:

60 × 12.011 = 720.66 g/mol

This does not mean that one C60 molecule weighs 720.66 grams. It means that one mole of C60 molecules weighs about 720.66 grams.

One mole is a very large number of particles: 6.02214076 × 10²³. That is why the mass of one individual C60 molecule is extremely small.

Molecular Mass vs Molar Mass of C60

When discussing the C60 molecule, it is important to separate molecular mass from molar mass.

Term	Meaning	Value for C60
Molecular formula	Atoms in one molecule	C60
Molecular mass	Mass of one molecule	About 1.20 × 10-21 g
Molar mass	Mass of one mole of molecules	About 720.66 g/mol
One mole	Number of molecules in one mole	6.02214076 × 1023 molecules

The common mistake is to say “one C60 molecule has a mass of 720.66 g.” That is incorrect. 720.66 g is the mass of one mole of C60 molecules, not one molecule.

What Is the Mass of One Molecule of C60 in Kilograms?

The mass of one C60 molecule in grams is approximately:

1.1967 × 10^-21 g

To convert grams to kilograms, divide by 1000:

1.1967 × 10^-21 g = 1.1967 × 10^-24 kg

Rounded to three significant figures:

1.20 × 10^-24 kg per C60 molecule

How Many C60 Molecules Are in 1 Gram?

Another useful question is how many C60 molecules are in 1 gram of Fullerene C60.

First, convert 1 gram of C60 into moles:

1 g ÷ 720.66 g/mol = 0.0013876 mol

Then multiply by Avogadro’s constant:

0.0013876 × 6.02214076 × 10²³ = 8.36 × 10²⁰ molecules

So, 1 gram of C60 contains approximately 8.36 × 10²⁰ C60 molecules.

This helps explain why laboratory quantities of C60 may look small by mass but still contain an enormous number of molecules.

How Many Moles Are in 1 Gram of C60?

The number of moles in 1 gram of C60 is calculated by dividing sample mass by molar mass:

1 g ÷ 720.66 g/mol = 0.0013876 mol

This is about:

1.39 × 10^-3 mol

or:

1.39 mmol

This conversion is useful when preparing solutions, comparing molar ratios, or calculating reaction quantities involving Fullerene C60.

Why This Calculation Matters

The mass of one C60 molecule matters because it connects molecular-scale chemistry with practical laboratory quantities. A chemist may need this value to calculate molecule numbers, molar concentration, film deposition amount, or reaction stoichiometry.

For example, if a researcher prepares a C60 solution, the mass weighed on a laboratory balance must be converted into moles or molecules. If a thin-film researcher deposits C60 onto a substrate, molecular mass and molar mass may help interpret material loading or deposition calculations.

For students, this calculation is also a clean example of how molar mass and Avogadro’s constant connect microscopic particles to measurable laboratory mass.

Common Mistakes When Calculating C60 Molecule Mass

Mistake 1: Confusing molar mass with molecular mass

720.66 g/mol is the molar mass of C60. It is not the mass of one molecule. The mass of one molecule is about 1.20 × 10^-21 g.

Mistake 2: Using 60 g/mol as the molar mass

The “60” in C60 means there are 60 carbon atoms, not that the molar mass is 60 g/mol. Since each carbon atom contributes about 12.011 g/mol, the molar mass is about 720.66 g/mol.

Mistake 3: Forgetting Avogadro’s constant

To move from molar mass to the mass of one molecule, Avogadro’s constant must be used. Without it, the calculation stops at grams per mole rather than grams per molecule.

Mistake 4: Overstating precision

For most practical purposes, 1.20 × 10^-21 g is enough. More digits may be used in formal calculations, but the value is still an approximation when standard atomic weights and rounded molar masses are used.

Light Product Note

If you are comparing C60 molecule data for research or sourcing purposes, product identity should match the formula C60, CAS number 99685-96-8, and the expected molar mass of approximately 720.66–720.67 g/mol. You can review Fullerene C60 product information or contact The Fullerene for material details when needed.

FAQ

What is the mass of one molecule of C60?

The mass of one molecule of C60 is approximately 1.20 × 10^-21 grams, or 1.20 × 10^-24 kilograms.

How do you calculate the mass of one molecule of C60?

Divide the molar mass of C60 by Avogadro’s constant. Using 720.66 g/mol and 6.02214076 × 10²³ mol^-1, the result is about 1.1967 × 10^-21 g per molecule.

What is the molar mass of a C60 molecule?

The molar mass of C60 is approximately 720.66–720.67 g/mol.

How many carbon atoms are in one C60 molecule?

One C60 molecule contains 60 carbon atoms.

How many C60 molecules are in 1 gram?

One gram of C60 contains approximately 8.36 × 10²⁰ molecules.

How many moles are in 1 gram of C60?

One gram of C60 is approximately 0.0013876 mol, or about 1.39 mmol.

Is C60 the same as Fullerene C60?

Yes. C60, Fullerene C60, C60 fullerene, Carbon 60, buckminsterfullerene, and buckyball commonly refer to the same 60-carbon fullerene molecule.

Why is the C60 molecule called buckyball?

C60 is called buckyball because its spherical cage structure resembles geodesic dome geometry associated with architect R. Buckminster Fuller.

References

[1] Fisher Scientific, “CAS RN 99685-96-8.” The page lists Fullerene C60 with CAS number 99685-96-8, molecular formula C60, and molecular weight around 720.66 g/mol. Source

[2] NIST, “CODATA Value: Avogadro constant.” NIST lists the Avogadro constant as 6.02214076 × 10²³ mol^-1, exact. Source

[3] PubChem, “Fullerenes.” PubChem provides chemical identity and structure information for Fullerene C60 and lists molecular weight around 720.6 g/mol. Source

[4] IUPAC, “Atomic Weights of the Elements 2023.” IUPAC lists carbon with standard atomic weight 12.011(2). Source