Question

A sample of C3H8 has 4.64 × 1024 H atoms. How many carbon atoms does the sample contain?

Answer 1

In I molecule of C₃H₈, the ratio of Carbon to Hydrogen atoms = 3 : 8

C: H = 3:8

C : 4.64*10²⁴ = 3:8

C / (4.64*10²⁴) = 3 / 8

C = (3/8) * (4.64 * 10²⁴)

C = 1.74 * 10²⁴

The sample contains 1.74 * 10²⁴ C atoms.

Answer 2

To calculate the number of carbon atoms in the sample of C3H8, the subscipts of the chemical formula is important since this gives the proportion of an element in a compound.

4.64 × 10^24 H atoms ( 3 atoms C / 8 atoms H ) = 1.74 x 10^24 atoms C