How many moles of butane, C4H10, are found in 392.3 grams of C4H10

How many moles of butane, C4H10, are found in 392.3 grams of C4H10?

The correct answer and explanation is:

To calculate the number of moles of butane (C4H10) in 392.3 grams, we follow these steps:

1. Determine the molar mass of butane (C4H10):
   The molar mass is calculated by adding the atomic masses of all the elements in the formula C4H10.
   • Carbon (C) has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 grams per mole.
   • Hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1.008 grams per mole.
   The molar mass of butane is: 4×12.01 g/mol+10×1.008 g/mol=48.04 g/mol+10.08 g/mol=58.12 g/mol4 \times 12.01 \, \text{g/mol} + 10 \times 1.008 \, \text{g/mol} = 48.04 \, \text{g/mol} + 10.08 \, \text{g/mol} = 58.12 \, \text{g/mol}
2. Use the formula for moles:
   The formula to calculate the number of moles (n) from mass (m) is: n=mMn = \frac{m}{M} where:
   • nn is the number of moles,
   • mm is the mass of the substance (392.3 grams), and
   • MM is the molar mass (58.12 g/mol).
3. Calculate the number of moles:
   Now we can substitute the values into the formula: n=392.3 g58.12 g/mol≈6.74 moln = \frac{392.3 \, \text{g}}{58.12 \, \text{g/mol}} \approx 6.74 \, \text{mol}

So, the number of moles of butane in 392.3 grams is approximately 6.74 moles.

Explanation:

Moles are a fundamental concept in chemistry used to count the number of particles in a substance, whether atoms, molecules, or ions. The molar mass tells you how much one mole of a substance weighs in grams. By dividing the mass of a substance by its molar mass, we determine how many moles are in that mass. This is a key conversion factor in stoichiometry, enabling chemists to quantify reactants and products in chemical reactions. The calculation involves basic knowledge of atomic weights and the molar concept, providing a way to work with microscopic particles on a macroscopic scale.