To determine the total moles of atoms in a sample of propane (C3H8), we first need to understand the molecular composition of propane. Each molecule of propane consists of 3 carbon (C) atoms and 8 hydrogen (H) atoms.
Given that there are 15.8 moles of carbon atoms in the sample, we can calculate the number of propane molecules present by using the ratio of carbon atoms to propane molecules. Since each molecule contains 3 carbon atoms, we can calculate the moles of propane:
Number of moles of propane = Moles of C / 3 = 15.8 moles / 3 = 5.27 moles
Next, we need to find the total number of atoms in the sample. Each molecule of propane has a total of 3 carbon atoms and 8 hydrogen atoms, which sums up to 11 atoms per molecule:
Total moles of atoms = Moles of propane × Number of atoms per molecule = 5.27 moles × 11 atoms = 57.97 moles
Therefore, the total moles of atoms in the sample of propane is approximately 58.0 moles.