What is the molar mass of C2H6?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the calculation of the molar mass of the compound C2H6, which is ethane. To determine the molar mass, we need to add up the atomic weights of all the atoms in the molecule, considering that there are 2 carbon (C) atoms and 6 hydrogen (H) atoms.
Answer
The molar mass of C2H6 is $30.08 \, g/mol$.
Answer for screen readers
The molar mass of C2H6 (ethane) is $30.08 , g/mol$.
Steps to Solve
- Identify Atomic Weights
First, we need to know the atomic weights of carbon and hydrogen. These are:
- Carbon (C): approximately $12.01 , g/mol$
- Hydrogen (H): approximately $1.01 , g/mol$
- Calculate Total Mass of Carbon Atoms
Since there are 2 carbon atoms in ethane (C2H6), we calculate the total mass contributed by carbon:
$$ \text{Mass of Carbon} = 2 \times 12.01 , g/mol = 24.02 , g/mol $$
- Calculate Total Mass of Hydrogen Atoms
Next, we calculate the total mass contributed by hydrogen. There are 6 hydrogen atoms in ethane:
$$ \text{Mass of Hydrogen} = 6 \times 1.01 , g/mol = 6.06 , g/mol $$
- Calculate Total Molar Mass of Ethane
Finally, we add the total mass of carbon to the total mass of hydrogen to find the molar mass of ethane:
$$ \text{Molar Mass of C2H6} = 24.02 , g/mol + 6.06 , g/mol = 30.08 , g/mol $$
The molar mass of C2H6 (ethane) is $30.08 , g/mol$.
More Information
The molar mass is essential in chemistry as it allows chemists to convert between the mass of a substance and the amount in moles, which is crucial for stoichiometric calculations in chemical reactions. Ethane is a common hydrocarbon that can be found in natural gas and is used as a fuel and a feedstock in the petrochemical industry.
Tips
- Forgetting to account for the number of each type of atom in the compound (like missing the 2 for carbon or the 6 for hydrogen).
- Using inaccurate atomic weights; it's important to use values from a reliable source.
