Methane - Definition, Uses, Formula, Properties & FAQs

Methane - Definition, Uses, Formula, Properties & FAQs

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jun 23, 2022 05:52 PM IST

What is methane?

Methane meaning is lighter than saturated hydrocarbons with the chemical formula CH4. It contains four hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom and is the simplest alkane. When natural methane reaches the surface of the air it is called atmospheric methane and can be found under the sea and underground. It is odorless or odorless and is colorless. It is a flammable toxic gas. It is a tetrahedral molecule with four equal CH-bonds. It is produced by colonic anaerobes. Italian scientist Alessandro Volta was the first to scientifically identify methane in 1776.

This Story also Contains
  1. What is methane?
  2. CH4 Methane
  3. Use of Methane
  4. Methane formula
  5. Chemical properties of methane
  6. Locking of Methane Frequency
  7. Chlorophenyl Methane

Methane Features

Methane is one of the most important heat borne diseases and about 70% of methane emissions are linked to human activities. Pure methane is a powerful energy-efficient stock of 55.7 MJ / kg and is used to generate electricity, heating and household cooking

Also read -

CH4 Methane

Weight / Molar Mass of methane is16.04 g / mol

Maximum 0.656 kg / m³

Methane boiling point of methane is −161.50 ° C

Melting point of methane is−182.5 ° C

Use of Methane

  • It is used in cars, in the oven and in a water heater such as gasoline
  • It is also used to produce electricity
  • It is used as rocket fuel in its refined form
  • It is used as an ingredient in industrial cold prevention
  • It is a common ingredient in fertilizer
  • Used for cleaning products
  • It is used in power stations
  • Used by gas cooks
  • It is used to test electrical equipment

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Methane formula

Methane formula is one of the simplest and easiest formulas given in biological chemistry. The structural and chemical formula of methane is given and described below. Methane is the main source of natural gas and is also known as "marsh gas" or "methyl hydride".

Methane chemical formula

Methane is one of the simplest alkane and it has a carbon atom with 4 hydrogen atoms. Therefore, the chemical formula of methane is provided by

Methane chemical formula: CH4

Methane Structural Formula

Methane is a very simple compound with a molecular weight of 16.043 g / mol. Its molecule consists of a tetrahedral structure consisting of 4 hydrogen atoms bound by 1 carbon atom. Methane is a flammable and colorless gas that occurs naturally in nature. It is heavier than air and is widely used in home ovens, industrial propellers, rocket fuel, gas cookers, fertilizers, other fuels such as cars, water heaters, etc.

Chemical properties of methane

Methane is lighter than wind, with a gravitational force of 0.554. It dissolves slowly in water. It burns easily in the air, forming carbon dioxide and water vapor; the flames are pale, light, and extremely hot. The boiling point of methane is given as 162 ° C (-259.6 ° F) and the melting point of methane is usually written as 182.5 ° C (-296.5 ° F). Methane is generally very stable, but mixtures of methane and air, with a methane content of between 5% and 14 % by volume, explode. The explosion of these compounds has been the case in coal mines and mines and has been the cause of many mine disasters.

How methane gas is formed?

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, followed by a second carbon dioxide that can hold heat in the earth's atmosphere for a long time. This gas can come from lakes and wetlands, natural gas pipelines, deep ocean air, and livestock. Understanding the sources of methane, as well as how gas is produced, can give scientists a better understanding of their role in global warming.

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Locking of Methane Frequency

Methane is a molecule made up of a single carbon atom attached to four hydrogen atoms. Carbon can come as a single isotope (carbon-12 or carbon-13); hydrogen can also take two forms, including deuterium - a hydrogen isotope with one additional neutron. The authors are looking for a very unusual methane molecule replaced by an isotope, known as 13CH3D - a molecule containing a carbon-13 atom and a deuterium atom. Obtaining 13CH3D was important, the researchers thought, because it could be a sign of heat in which methane is being formed - it is important in determining whether methane is microbial or thermogenic.

Last year, Ono and his colleagues, working with scientists from Aerodyne Research, developed a 13CH3D detection tool. This method uses infrared spectroscopy to detect certain wavelengths associated with minute movements within methane molecules; different waves correspond to different isotopes. This spectroscopic method, which is very different from the traditional spectrometric methods developed by others, has a material advantage, allowing its potential transmission to field areas.

Chlorophenyl Methane

Chlorophenyl Methane is a highly sensitive organochlorine compound. It appears colorless in slightly yellow liquid. It is widely used in chemical formulations.

The methyl group and the chloro group are attached to a six-component benzene ring. The common name for chlorophenyl methane is Benzyl chloride.

α - chlorotoluene is another name for Benzyl chloride. The chemical formula of benzyl chloride is C6H5CH2Cl.

We can prepare benzyl chloride from Blanc chloromethylation of benzene.

Treatment of benzyl alcohol with hydrochloric acid can lead to the formation of methane of benzyl chloride.

Industrially, we can fix benzyl chloride by toluene reaction with chlorine. We can write a chemical equation as,

C6H5CH3 + Cl2 → C6H5CH2Cl + HCl

The reaction begins with a free radical process, which involves the fusion of free chlorine atoms. Benzal chloride and benzotrichloride are available as separate reaction products.

When we put oxygen benzyl chloride in front of alkaline potassium permanganate, we get benzoic acid as a product. The chemical equation is labeled as,

C6H5Cl2 + 2KOH + 2 [O] → C6H5COOH + KCl + H2O

We may also use benzyl chloride as a precursor for the preparation of benzyl esters that are also used as plasticizers, flavorants, and even perfumes. We can get dibenzyl ether when benzyl chloride is reacted with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Benzyl chloride can be used in combination with amphetamine-based drugs. Benzyl chloride in reaction with metallic magnesium forms a Grignard reagent.

Also check-

NCERT Chemistry Notes:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. 1.Is methane gas harmful to humans?

Methane alone is non-toxic but can be deadly when mixed with other gases. Methane dissipates oxygen to breathe. It can cause dizziness and headaches, but these are often overlooked until the brain signs that the body is breathing air.

2. 2.What is the main cause of methane gas?

Methane is produced during coal, natural gas, oil production and transportation. Methane extraction is caused by livestock and other agricultural activities and the destruction of agricultural waste in solid urban landfills.

3. 3.Why is methane gas so bad for the environment?

For example, if methane leaks into the air before the use of a leaky pipe - it absorbs heat from the sun, warming the air. It is called greenhouse gas, as carbon dioxide, for this reason.

4. 4.Is methane fossil fuel?

Mineral fuels range from volatile compounds with low carbon-to-hydrogen ratios (such as methane), to liquids (such as petroleum), almost from refined carbon-based materials, such as anthracite coal. Methane can be obtained alone, in combination with oil, or in the form of methane clathrate in hydrocarbons.

5. 5.Can Methane be released into space?

Bacteria can then be used to remove methane from the air. Because of its high efficiency such as thermal gas,Boucher and Folberth both had a conversation that methane depletion could usually compete financially for carbon offsets and the technology was also expensive.

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Questions related to

Get answers from students and experts

Correct Answer: clues


Solution : The most appropriate option is the third option.

Explanation:
Clues refer to hints, evidence, or information that helps in understanding or solving something. In the context of the passage, moons, asteroids, and comets provide crucial information or hints about the formation and evolution of the solar system. They offer valuable insights that aid in understanding how the solar system came into existence and how it has changed over time.

The meanings of the other options are as follows:

  • Sets refer to a group of related objects or things.
  • Derivations refer to the process of obtaining something from a source or origin.
  • Biases refer to prejudices or inclinations that affect judgement or decision-making based on partiality or preference.

Question : Comprehension:
In the following passage, some words have been deleted. Read the passage carefully and select the most appropriate option to fill in each blank.
The solar system is made up of the sun, planets, moons, asteroids, and comets that 1.______ around it. Its mysteries and wonders have captured the imagination of people from all walks of life, and it continues to be an area of active research and exploration. The sun is at the centre of the solar system and is the largest object in it. The eight planets in the solar system, 2._________ Earth, orbit around the sun in nearly circular paths. While the sun is at the centre of the solar system and dominates its gravitational pull, each planet has its own unique set of characteristics that makes it a fascinating object to study. Each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics and features. 3._________ planets, such as Mercury and Venus, are small and rocky, while others, like Jupiter and Saturn, are much larger and made up mostly of gas. The outer planets, Uranus and Neptune, are 4._______ as 'ice giants' because they contain more water, ammonia, and methane than the gas giants. In addition to the planets, the solar system also has numerous moons, asteroids, and comets. These objects provide important 5.______ about the formation and evolution of the solar system.
Question:
Select the most appropriate option to fill in the blank 2.

Option 1: excluding

Option 2: diluting

Option 3: dissolving

Option 4: including

Correct Answer: including


Solution : The most appropriate option is the fourth option.

Explanation: Including means to contain as part of a whole. In this context, it implies that among the eight planets in the solar system, Earth is one of them. "The eight planets in the solar system, including Earth, orbit around the sun in nearly circular paths."

The meanings of the other options are as follows:

  • Excluding means not taking into account or not including.
  • Diluting means to make something weaker or less concentrated.
  • Dissolving means becoming incorporated into a liquid and forming a solution.

 

Correct Answer: Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere


Solution : The correct answer is(A) Releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere

Deforestation involves the clearing or removal of forests, resulting in the conversion of forested areas into non-forested land. This process has several negative impacts on the environment, including its significant contribution to climate change.

One of the main reasons deforestation contributes to climate change is the release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere during photosynthesis and storing it in their biomass. When forests are cleared or burned, the carbon stored in trees and vegetation is released back into the atmosphere as CO2.

The increased release of CO2 from deforestation adds to the greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere, contributing to the enhanced greenhouse effect and global warming. As CO2 is a potent greenhouse gas, its accumulation in the atmosphere traps heat and leads to an increase in average global temperatures.

Correct Answer: ACBD


Solution : The correct choice is the third option.

The initial sentence (A) introduces the concept of biogas as a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen. The subsequent sentence (C) explains the process of biogas production through anaerobic degradation, clarifying that it occurs in the absence of oxygen. The third sentence (B) follows by highlighting the positive aspects of biogas, stating that it is a non-polluting, clean, and low-cost fuel. Finally, the last sentence (D) concludes the paragraph by noting that biogas is primarily used in rural areas where ample animal and agricultural waste is available, eliminating the risk of health hazards associated with other fuels.

Therefore, the correct answer is ACBD.

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