Methane gas contains carbon atoms and hydrogen atoms in the ratio of 1:4 . A sample of methane gas contains 90 atoms. What value should be inserted into each rectangle? (1 point) The number should be inserted into each rectangle.

1 answer

The ratio of carbon atoms to hydrogen atoms in methane gas is 1:4, which means that for every 1 carbon atom, there are 4 hydrogen atoms.

Let's assume that the number of carbon atoms is x.

Therefore, the number of hydrogen atoms would be 4x, since for every carbon atom, there are 4 hydrogen atoms.

We know that the total number of atoms in the sample is 90.

So, we can write the equation:
x + 4x = 90

Simplifying the equation:
5x = 90

Dividing both sides by 5, we get:
x = 18

Therefore, the value that should be inserted into each rectangle is 18.