Question

What is the total mass (amu) of carbon in each of the following molecules?

a) H₂CO
b) CH₄
c) C₆H₁2O₆
d) CO₂

Answer 1

The total mass of carbon is 12.01 amu for H₂CO and CH₄, 72.06 amu for C₆H₁₂O₆, and 12.01 amu for CO₂, given that the average atomic mass of carbon is 12.01 amu per atom.

Step-by-step explanation:

The total mass of carbon in a molecule can be calculated by summing the atomic mass units (amu) of the carbon atoms present. The average atomic mass of carbon is approximately 12.01 amu per atom.

We will use this value for each carbon atom in the following molecular formulas:

• (a) H2CO: There is one carbon atom, so the total mass of carbon is 12.01 amu.
• (b) CH4: There is one carbon atom, so the total mass of carbon is 12.01 amu.
• (c) C6H12O6: There are six carbon atoms, so the total mass of carbon is 6 x 12.01 amu = 72.06 amu.
• (d) CO2: There is one carbon atom, so the total mass of carbon is 12.01 amu.