What is the mass percentage of carbon (C) in methane (CH4)? (The molar mass of carbon is

Step 1: Calculate molar mass of methane (CH₄)
Carbon (C): 1 × 12 = 12 g/mol
Hydrogen (H): 4 × 1 = 4 g/mol
Total molar mass = 12 + 4 = 16 g/mol

Step 2: Find mass of carbon in the compound
Mass of carbon = 12 g/mol (only one carbon atom)

Step 3: Calculate percentage by mass
Mass percentage = (mass of carbon / total mass) × 100
= (12 / 16) × 100
= 0.75 × 100 = 75%

Conclusion: Carbon makes up three-quarters of methane’s mass. The four hydrogen atoms together contribute only 25% of the total mass.