Methane Formula
Methane Formula
The Methane Formula is the simplest hydrocarbon ever and also the simplest chemical compound. Methane is found in its gaseous state and is found in small quantities in the Earth’s atmosphere. Methane Formula is a group-14 hydride and also the simplest alkane and is the main constituent of the gas. The discovery and also the isolation of methane occurred between 1776 and 1778 when Alessandro Volta studied the marsh gas from Lake Maggiore Alessandro Volta. The Methane Formula was found to be the main component of the gas, about 87% of the total volume.
Methane Chemical Formula
The Chemical Methane Formula of Methane Formula is CH4. Four hydrogen atoms bonded to a single carbon atom in methane. The bonds are covalent because it is an organic compound. A covalent compound means that the bond that is formed between the elements has formed only because of the sharing of electrons. When electrons are exchanged they form electrovalent compounds and which are primarily inorganic compounds. Here the Methane Formula is formed using covalent bonds which means by sharing electrons it is an organic compound.
Methane Structural Formula
The Methane Formula is CH4.
Properties of Methane
When the temperature and atmospheric pressure are in their standard form, the Methane Formula is found to be a colourless, odourless gas. The Methane Formula simply has a boiling point of −164 °C (−257.8 °F) at a pressure of 1 atmosphere. As a gas, Methane Formula is very flammable and that too over a variety of concentrations (5.4–17%) when the atmospheric pressure is in its normal state. Solid methane exists only in special conditions.
Cooling the Methane Formula at normal pressure levels leads to the formation of methane. This exclusive substance crystallises completely in the cubic system and space group Fm3m. The positions of the hydrogen atoms are not all fixed in methane, since all the methane molecules may rotate freely. This is the primary reason why it is a plastic crystal.
Preparation of Methane
The Methane Formula can be prepared through various methods –
By the catalytic reduction of methyl iodide.
CH3-I + H2 → CH4 +HI
By the hydrolysis of aluminium carbide. In the laboratory, methane is directly prepared by boiling aluminium carbide with water.
Al4C3 + 12H2O → 3CH4 +Al (OH)3
Chemical Reactions
Combustion Reaction: Methane’s heat of combustion is 55.5 MJ/kg. Combustion of methane is a reaction that involves various steps:
- CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O
Methane radical reactions where X can be a halogen: fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), or iodine (I).
- X• + CH4 → HX + CH3•
- CH3• + X2 → CH3X + X•
Chlorination:
- CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl (dichloromethane)
- CH3Cl + Cl2 → CH2Cl2 +HCl (dichloromethane)
- CH2Cl2 + Cl2 → CHCl3 + HCl (chloroform)
- CHCl3 + Cl2 → CCl4 +HCl (carbon tetrachloride)
Uses
Methane Formula is mainly used in domestic and industrial fuel. Methane Formula is utilised in blacking and printer’s ink. Tire manufacturing and the manufacture of methanol are other extremely crucial uses of methane. However, gas pipelines distribute large amounts of Methane Formula. Methane is the main component in gas pipelines. Refined liquid methane is employed as a rocket propellant.
Solved Examples for Methane Formula
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