Chemistry Paper 1 Word

CHEMISTRY PAPER – 1
METHANE
❖INTRODUCTION: Methane is an organic compound

and the first member of the Alkane series.
In nature, methane is produced by the anaerobic bacterial
decomposition of vegetable matter under water (where it is
sometimes called swamp gas).
Methane is the chief constituent of natural gas, which contains
from 50 to 90 percent methane (depending on the source), and
occurs as a component of firedamp (flammable gas) along coal
seams.
❖CHEMICAL FORMULA: CH4. It consists of four

hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom and is the simplest
alkane. Four hydrogen atoms are bonded to a single
carbon atom in methane.
❖ STRUCTURE:
❖PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: Methane is also known

as marsh gas or methyl hydride. It is easily ignited. The
vapors are lighter than air.
Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon and is a colourless and
odourless gas at room temperature and pressure.
Methane in general is very stable, but mixtures of methane and
air, with the methane content between 5 and 14 percent by
volume, are explosive.
The 4 physical properties of methane are as follows:
1)Methane is lighter than air, having a specific gravity of 0.554.
2) It is only slightly soluble in water.
3) It burns readily in air, forming carbon dioxide and water
vapour.
4) The flame is pale, slightly luminous, and very hot.
❖CHEMICAL PROPERTIES: It is only slightly soluble
in water. It burns readily in air, forming carbon dioxide and
water vapour; the flame is pale, slightly luminous, and very
hot. The boiling point of methane is −162 °C (−259.6 °F)
and the melting point is −182.5 °C (−296.5 °F).
Methane has the chemical formula of CH4 and a molecular
weight of 16.043 g/mol.
The methane molecule is tetrahedral, with the carbon atom at
the center and the four hydrogen atoms on the corners of the
tetrahedron. Each C-H bond is equivalent, and each bond is
separated by an angle of 109.5°.
Methane reacts with reactive substances under vigorous
conditions. One such reactive substance is oxygen. Oxidation of
methane or in other words combustion (complete) of methane (in
fact for any hydrocarbon) results in formation carbon dioxide
and water with release of heat. This oxidation is the major
reaction occurring during the burning of natural gas.
The heat released when one mole of methane is burned called
heat of combustion of methane, which is 213 kcal.
Partial oxidation of methane and catalytic oxidation with water
are very important in the synthesis of acetylene, ammonia,
methanol and other alcohols.
❖MELTING POINT: The melting point of methane is
−182.5 °C (−296.5°F).
❖BOILING POINT: The boiling point of methane is −162

°C (−259.6 °F).
❖BOND ANGLE: That is a tetrahedral arrangement,

with an angle of 109.5°. Nothing changes in terms of the
shape when the hydrogen atoms combine with the carbon,
and so the methane molecule is also tetrahedral with 109.5°
bond angles.
❖PREPARATION OF METHANE: Methane is

synthesized commercially by the distillation of bituminous
coal and by heating a mixture of carbon and hydrogen.
It can be produced in the laboratory by heating sodium
acetate with sodium hydroxide and by the reaction of aluminium
carbide (Al4C3) with water.
❖ADVANTAGES: Methane provides a great
environmental benefit, producing more heat and light
energy by mass than other hydrocarbon, or fossil fuel,
including coal and gasoline refined from oil, while
producing significantly less carbon dioxide and other
pollutants that contribute to smog and unhealthy air.
• Methane is a natural gas so it is a major fuel. 4638 days since
Board Meeting
• Methane is also the building foundation for hundreds of
compounds which we use to make thousands of our products
today.
• In new vehicles we have today that is used to burn hydrogen,
billions of natural gas(Methane)will be steam cracked into
hydrogen for use as motor vehicle fuel.
❖DISADVANTAGES: It is a main contributor to global

warming. It is very dangerous to the human body,
High enough concentrations in the air can result in suffocation
of air breathing creatures is highly explosives.
❖USES: 1) Methane is an important source of hydrogen and
some organic chemicals.
2) Methane reacts with steam at high temperatures to yield
carbon monoxide and hydrogen; the latter is used in the
manufacture of ammonia for fertilizers and explosives.
3) Other valuable chemicals derived from methane include
methanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, and nitromethane.
4) The incomplete combustion of methane yields carbon black,
which is widely used as a reinforcing agent in rubber used for
automobile tires.
5) It is used primarily as fuel to make heat and light.
6) It is also used to manufacture organic chemicals.
7) Methane can be formed by the decay of natural materials and
is common in landfills, marshes, septic systems and sewers.
8) It is used in automobiles, ovens and water heater as a fuel.
9) It is used in the generation of electricity.
10) It is used as rocket fuel in its refined liquid form.
11) It is used as an antifreeze ingredient in industries.
12) It is a common ingredient in fertilizer.
13) It is used to sanitize products.
14) Methane as a Cooking Gas
First is as a cooking gas. You can probably guess why it’s used
as a cooking gas, because it has an excellent burning capability.
15). Production of Carbon Dioxide
The second use is to produce carbon dioxide in gas form.
16). Production of Carbon Black
The third use is to produce carbon black. Carbon black is used in
rubber production.
17). Methane as a Starting Material
Finally, the fourth use is as a starting material for other
organic compounds. It’s used as a starting material for these
other organic compounds, such as methyl chloride, methylene
dichloride, and chloroform.

Chemistry Paper 1 Word

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chemistry Paper 1 Word

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Chemistry Paper 1 Word

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

CHEMISTRY PAPER – 1

❖INTRODUCTION: Methane is an organic compound

❖CHEMICAL FORMULA: CH4. It consists of four

❖PHYSICAL PROPERTIES: Methane is also known

❖BOILING POINT: The boiling point of methane is −162

❖BOND ANGLE: That is a tetrahedral arrangement,

❖PREPARATION OF METHANE: Methane is

❖DISADVANTAGES: It is a main contributor to global

You might also like