Methane

From the Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia that anyone can change

Structural formula of methane. C is carbon and H is hydrogen. The lines show that the atoms are joined by chemical bonds.

A picture to show simply how the atoms may fill space. The black is carbon and the white is hydrogen.

Methane is a hydrocarbon that is a gas at room temperature (20^oC). Its molecular formula is CH₄, so it has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms in a molecule. It is often found as the main part of natural gas. Methane is a greenhouse gas 22 times more effective than carbon dioxide.

[change] Uses

Methane is used in gas taps in places such as chemistry classrooms, laboratories, etc. as it burns very easily because of it's simple molecular structure.

[change] Molecular Structure

Methane's molecular structure is very simple. It is a single carbon atom surrounded by four hydrogen atoms.

[change] Production

Methane cannot be produced. It is found in crude oil and is obtained by fractional distilation.