To calculate the formula mass of ethene (C2H4), we first need to identify the atomic masses of its constituent elements: carbon (C) and hydrogen (H).
The atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 g/mol, and the atomic mass of hydrogen is about 1.008 g/mol.
In ethene, there are two carbon atoms and four hydrogen atoms. Therefore, we can calculate the formula mass as follows:
- Carbon: 2 × 12.01 g/mol = 24.02 g/mol
- Hydrogen: 4 × 1.008 g/mol = 4.032 g/mol
Now, we add the two results together to find the total formula mass:
Formula Mass of Ethene = 24.02 g/mol + 4.032 g/mol = 28.052 g/mol
Thus, the formula mass of ethene is approximately 28.05 g/mol.