The molecular weight of methane (CH4) is approximately 16.04 grams per mole. This value is calculated by adding the atomic weights of its constituent atoms.
In methane, there is one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. The atomic weight of carbon is about 12.01 g/mol, while the atomic weight of hydrogen is approximately 1.008 g/mol. So, to find the molecular weight of methane, you perform the following calculation:
- 1 Carbon: 1 x 12.01 g/mol = 12.01 g/mol
- 4 Hydrogens: 4 x 1.008 g/mol = 4.032 g/mol
Now, you add these two results together:
12.01 g/mol + 4.032 g/mol = 16.042 g/mol
Rounding to two decimal places, the molecular weight of methane is 16.04 g/mol.