What is the molecular mass of methane(CH4)?

Question

Answer

CH4
=12 +1×4
=12 +4
=16 amu

Answer

Answer

Molecular mass of methane (ch4) is 16. atomic mass of  carbon is 12 and hydrogen is 1 so 12 + 1×4 = 16.

Answer

The Molecular Mass of Methane (CH4)

Methane (CH4) is a simple hydrocarbon compound consisting of one carbon atom bonded with four hydrogen atoms. The molecular mass of a compound is the sum of the atomic masses of all the atoms in its chemical formula. To calculate the molecular mass of methane, we need to consider the atomic masses of carbon and hydrogen.

Atomic Masses
1. Carbon (C): The atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 atomic mass units (amu). This value represents the average mass of all carbon isotopes found in nature, taking into account their relative abundances.

2. Hydrogen (H): The atomic mass of hydrogen is approximately 1.008 amu. Like carbon, this value represents the average mass of all hydrogen isotopes found in nature.

Calculating Molecular Mass
To determine the molecular mass of methane, we need to multiply the atomic masses of each element by the number of atoms present in the compound and then add them together.

1. Carbon: In methane, there is only one carbon atom. Therefore, the contribution of carbon to the molecular mass is:

1 carbon atom x 12.01 amu = 12.01 amu

2. Hydrogen: In methane, there are four hydrogen atoms. Thus, the contribution of hydrogen to the molecular mass is:

4 hydrogen atoms x 1.008 amu = 4.032 amu

Total Molecular Mass
To obtain the total molecular mass of methane (CH4), we sum the contributions from carbon and hydrogen:

12.01 amu (carbon) + 4.032 amu (hydrogen) = 16.042 amu

Therefore, the molecular mass of methane is approximately 16.042 amu.

Summary
- The molecular mass of methane (CH4) is calculated by summing the atomic masses of all the atoms in its chemical formula.
- Carbon has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 amu, and hydrogen has an atomic mass of approximately 1.008 amu.
- Methane consists of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.
- By multiplying the atomic masses by the number of atoms and adding them together, we find that the molecular mass of methane is approximately 16.042 amu.

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