Final answer:
To find the number of C₂H₆ molecules in the sample, calculate the number of moles of methane and convert it to the number of molecules of ethane using Avogadro's number.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to find the number of C₂H₆ molecules in the sample, we can use the concept of molar mass and Avogadro's number. Given that the mass of the ethane sample is the same as 10.0 million molecules of methane, we know that the ethane sample contains the same number of moles as the methane sample.
Since we are given the mass of methane, we can calculate the number of moles using its molar mass (16.04 g/mol). Then, using Avogadro's number (6.02 x 10^23 molecules/mol), we can convert the number of moles of methane to the number of molecules of ethane by multiplying by Avogadro's number.
Therefore, the sample contains 10.0 million C₂H₆ molecules.