Methane

Methane

Jeremy SmithGreenDecember 17th, 2008

Found in the most unlikelyplaces…

StructureThe gas methane (CH₄) is composed of …• 1 Carbon atom• 4 Hydrogen atoms

+

Carbon Hydrogen6 2

4

C12.0107 amu

H

H

H H

C

6 protons 6 neutrons

6 electrons

1 proton no neutrons

1 electron

x = 4.03176 amu

4.03176 au +

12.0107 au = 16.04246 amu

1.00794 amu

Structure of an elementAtomicNumber

Chemical

SymbolChemical NameAtomic Weight

Electronic Configuration

11

HCarbon Hydroge

n

Atomic Mass of Methane: 16.04246 amu

x 4

Bonding

• Polar Covalent Bond• Forms when the atoms are from different elements• One will attract the electrons more strongly

• Non - Polar Covalent bond• Forms when the atoms are from the same element• Neither will attract the atoms with more force than the otherHow does it work?

Carbon has 4 electrons on its valence shell.Hydrogen has 1 electron on its valence shell.Since neither is a metal or close to completing their outer shell, they bond covalently. The atoms will gravitate towards toward the carbon atom because it is stronger.

What type of bond is formed between the hydrogen and carbon atom?

What type of covalent bond forms?

• Covalent Bond• Forms between atoms that share valence electrons to fill their valence shell

Methane

Examples

• Mining of coal• Production of natural gas and oil• Transportation of natural gas and oil 

• Ice• Natural Gas• Coal

• Decomposition in:• Rice paddies• Swamps• Wetlands• Landfills

• Tropical termites separating it from other substances• Live plants• Melting permafrost, because the ice contains methane• The excretion of substances from a cow’s digestive system (cows pooping and farting)

Naturally produced by:

Unnaturally produced by the:

Naturally found in:

Properties

• CH4 (1 Carbon atom, 4 Hydrogen atoms) • Density ……….. 0.717 kg/m3, gas • Boiling point ………. -161.5˚ C, -258. 7˚ F, 112 K• Melting point ………. -182.5˚ C, -296.5˚ F, 91 K• Freezing point ……….-182.5˚ C, -296.5˚ F, 91 K• Atomic weight ………. 16.04246 amu • Colorless• Odorless• Toxic• Not radioactive

• Extremely unstable

Common uses

• Natural gas is composed of 85% methane

How do we use methane?

How do other organisms use methane?• Ice worms as natural habitats

• Ballooning• Ceramic tiles• Clothes dryers• Cooking stoves• Furnaces• Kilns• Water heaters

In the Atmosphere

• Decomposition in:

• Rice paddies• Dumps• Wetlands• Landfills

• Cows• Coal mining

Carbon dioxide production through the burning of methane:

= Heat / Energy

Earth unaffected by excess greenhouse gasses

Earth with excess greenhouse gases in its atmosphere

= greenhouse gases

• Oxidative Pyrolysis• CH4 + O2 → CO + H2 +

H2O• H2 Oxidification

• C2 Oxidification

=

• 2H2 + O2 →2H2O

• 2CO + O2 →2CO2

[CH4(g) + 2O2(g) → CO2(g) + 2H2O(l)] = 1 Carbon Dioxide molecule (gaseous form) and 2 Water molecules (liquid form)

• Global warming raises the temperature of the ocean• Consequently, the methane at the bottom of the ocean heats up and is released

Excess methane is being added to the atmosphere through:

Global Warming:

Sun

Sun

Effects

1921 Now

50% decrease in size

• Floods• Homes, roads, and buildings are destroyed

• Stronger and more hurricanes• Have caused millions of deaths

• Droughts• Hundreds of people have died in battles over water in undeveloped countries

• Rising sea levels• People are forced to evacuate their homes

• Rising sea temperature• Change in fishing patterns

• Unemployment• Extinction of species• Forest fires  

http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/watch/player.html?pkg=africa705&seg=1&mod=0

http://www.teachersdomain.org/asset/tdc02_vid_greenhouse/

Change

How we can change:How the world can change: • Take the metro – not a train or

car• Get your parent/guardian to use an energy efficient car• Walk or carpool to school• If possible, install solar panels• Buy less meat• Buy less rice• Recycle• Write to an official to sign a “no pollution” contract

• Create better infrastructure in Africa and Asia• Produce less meat, rice• China can stop mining coal• Use cleaner energy sources• Install eco – friendly energy producers

Quiz• What 2 molecules is methane composed of, and how many of each?

• 1 carbon, 4 hydrogen• What is one natural origin of methane (this can be how it is produced naturally)?

• Ice• Natural gas• Coal• Decomposition in:

• Rice paddies• Swamps• Wetlands• Landfills

• Tropical termites separating it from other substances• Live plants• Melting permafrost, because the ice contains methane• The excretion of substances from a cow’s digestive system (cows pooping and farting)

• What type of bond does a hydrogen atom form with a carbon atom?

• A polar covalent bond• Does Methane have a natural color or odor?

• No

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The End