To determine the total number of hydrogen atoms in the compound [tex]\( 4CH_4 \)[/tex], follow these steps:
1. Identify the number of methane ([tex]\( CH_4 \)[/tex]) molecules present:
- The compound [tex]\( 4CH_4 \)[/tex] indicates that we have 4 molecules of [tex]\( CH_4 \)[/tex].
2. Determine the number of hydrogen atoms in one molecule of [tex]\( CH_4 \)[/tex]:
- The molecular formula [tex]\( CH_4 \)[/tex] shows that each molecule of methane contains 4 hydrogen atoms.
3. Calculate the total number of hydrogen atoms:
- Since there are 4 molecules of [tex]\( CH_4 \)[/tex] and each molecule contains 4 hydrogen atoms, you can find the total number of hydrogen atoms by multiplying the number of molecules by the number of hydrogen atoms per molecule:
[tex]\[
\text{Total hydrogen atoms} = 4 \, \text{molecules} \times 4 \, \text{hydrogen atoms per molecule}
\][/tex]
[tex]\[
\text{Total hydrogen atoms} = 16
\][/tex]
Therefore, the number of hydrogen atoms in the compound [tex]\( 4CH_4 \)[/tex] is [tex]\(16\)[/tex].
The correct answer is [tex]\( 16 \)[/tex].
