What is the molar mass of butane, C_4H_{10}?

• A. 58.12 g/mol
• B. 44.10 g/mol
• C. 72.15 g/mol
• D. 34.08 g/mol

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular formula of butane, which is C_4H_{10}, meaning it contains 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms.
2. Find the atomic masses of carbon and hydrogen from the periodic table: carbon (C) has an atomic mass of approximately 12.01 g/mol, and hydrogen (H) has an atomic mass of approximately 1.008 g/mol.
3. Calculate the total mass contributed by carbon atoms by multiplying the number of carbon atoms by the atomic mass of carbon: \$4 \times 12.01$ g/mol.
4. Calculate the total mass contributed by hydrogen atoms by multiplying the number of hydrogen atoms by the atomic mass of hydrogen: \$10 \times 1.008$ g/mol.
5. Add the total masses of carbon and hydrogen to find the molar mass of butane: \(\text{Molar mass} = (4 \times 12.01) + (10 \times 1.008)\) g/mol.