Identify the molecular formula of butane, which is C_4H_{10}, meaning it contains 4 carbon atoms and 10 hydrogen atoms.
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.
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.
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.
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.