Stoichiometry Day 1

When calculating the mass of a compound or substance one must look at the periodic table.

As you know CH₄ has 1 Carbon atom and 4 Hydrogen atoms. If you look at the periodic table, you will see that Carbon's relative atomic mass is 12 and Hydrogen's relative atomic mass is 1.

Since there is only one carbon atom that is 12 grams, and because there are 4 hydrogen atoms in CH₄ that adds another 4 grams to the compound. Adding the carbon and hydrogens together would mean you are adding the masses as well; therefore your relative molar mass would be 16g.