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This problem consists of a series of questions concerning hydrocarbons made from the stable isotopes of hydrogen and carbon. Assume that the probability of the occurrence of unstable isotopes is effectively zero. Assume also that the mass of an isotope is equal to the mass number.
Carbon is found in two naturally occurring stable isotopic forms: Carbon-12, ^{12} C, accounts for 98.9\% of naturally occurring carbon, and Carbon-13, ^{13} C, accounts for 1.1\% of naturally occurring carbon.
Hydrogen also has two stable isotopes: ^1H accounts for slightly more than 99.985\% of naturally occurring hydrogen. ^2H, called deuterium, accounts for about 0.015\% of naturally occurring hydrogen.
What possibilities are there for the molecular mass of a stable molecule of methane CH_4? Which three are the most common? What is the probability that a randomly encountered methane molecule will be of each of these masses?
What would be the three most likely possibilities for the molecular masses of the next two alkanes: ethane, C_2H_6, and propane C_3H_8?
Am I likely to find a molecule of butane C_4H_{10} of molecular mass 72 in a litre of butane? (Avogadro's constant is approximately 6.02\times 10^{23}).
Are there any alkanes for which the most commonly found molecule is not the one made entirely from ^{12}C and ^1H?
A simple method of defining the coefficients in the equations of chemical reactions with the help of a system of linear algebraic equations.
A brief outline of the mathematical issues faced by chemistry students.
Explore the possibilities for reaction rates versus concentrations with this non-linear differential equation