Question

Calculate the molecular masses of the following compounds:

(a) Methane, CH₄ 

(b) Ethane, C₂H₆ 

(c) Ethene, C₂H₄ 

(d) Ethyne, C₂H₂ 

(Atomic masses: C= 12u, H = 1u)

Answer 1

a). Molecular mass of methane (CH₄) = 12 + 4 = 16 u

(b). Molecular mass of ethane (C₂H₆) = 2 x 12 + 6 x 1 = 30 u 

(c). Molecular mass of ethane (C₂H₄) = 2 x 12 + 4 x 1 = 28 u 

(d). Molecular mass of Ethyne (C₂H₂) = 2 x 12 + 2 x 1 = 26 u