Question

Calculate the molar mass of methane.

Answer 1

Hint: We can calculate the molar mass of methane using the molecular formula of methane that is \[C{H_4}\]. We can easily observe that it contains carbon and hydrogen atoms. All the atoms of an element take part in the molar mass of a molecule or compound.

Complete step by step answer:
First, we will understand the meaning of molar mass of any compound or molecules. Molar mass is defined as the mass of one molecule of an element or compound in an atomic mass unit. It is also known as its molecular mass.
Molecule is made up of atoms, therefore molecular mass can be determined by the sum of atomic masses.
Now we will see a basic algorithm to calculate the molar mass of an element or compound. The steps are as follows:
First we will write a molecular formula of the compound. For example \[{A_3}{B_2}\].
Now we will find the atomic mass of an individual element either from the periodic table or it will be given.
Now we will multiply the number of elements with their atomic masses and then we will add them. As we discussed earlier that molecular mass can be determined by the sum of atomic masses.
For example molar mass of \[{A_3}{B_2}\]can be calculated as \[M = 3 \times x + 2 \times y\] where \[M\] is the molar mass and \[x,y\] are the atomic masses of element of \[A\] and \[B\] respectively.
Now we will calculate the molar mass of methane with the molecular formula \[C{H_4}\]. There is \[1\left( C \right)\] atom and \[4\left( H \right)\] atom. The atomic mass of carbon and hydrogen is \[12\] and \[1\] respectively.
Therefore, the molar mass of methane can be calculated as \[{M_{C{H_4}}} = 1 \times 12 + 4 \times 1 = 16g/mol\]

Note: Molar mass is also defined as the ratio of given mass to the number of moles. It is expressed in gram per mole. So if we have the given mass and number of moles we can easily calculate the molar mass.