Explanation:

* Potential energy is the energy stored within a molecule due to its chemical bonds.

* Ethane (C2H6) has two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms.

* Butane (C4H10) has four carbon atoms and ten hydrogen atoms.

Factors contributing to higher potential energy in butane:

* More carbon atoms: Butane has more carbon atoms than ethane, meaning it has more carbon-carbon bonds. Carbon-carbon bonds store a significant amount of energy.

* More hydrogen atoms: Butane also has more hydrogen atoms, resulting in more carbon-hydrogen bonds. While these bonds store less energy than carbon-carbon bonds, the greater number of them contributes to a higher overall potential energy.

In summary: Butane's larger size and more complex molecular structure with a greater number of chemical bonds result in a higher potential energy compared to ethane.