Prab: CSV import

2025-02-23T21:38:50Z

CSV import

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 23 February 2025
Line 24:		Line 24:

	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
			<gallery>
			File:Methane-2D-dimensions.svg\|Methane 2D dimensions
			File:Covalent.svg\|Covalent
			File:The_fire_within_her.jpg\|The fire within her
			File:Global_Methane_Budget_2017.jpg\|Global Methane Budget 2017
			File:Origins_of_Biotic_and_Abiotic_Methane.jpg\|Origins of Biotic and Abiotic Methane
			File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_1898_Testing_Sheep_for_Methane_Production.jpg\|Testing Sheep for Methane Production
			File:The_Creation_of_Methane_Within_a_Ruminant.svg\|The Creation of Methane Within a Ruminant
			File:Diagram_of_sustainable_methane_fuel_production-en.svg\|Diagram of sustainable methane fuel production
			File:CH4_mm.png\|CH4 mm
			File:Sources_of_methane_emissions,_2021.jpg\|Sources of methane emissions, 2021
			File:Abatement_potential_of_policy_measures,_2021.jpg\|Abatement potential of policy measures, 2021
			File:PIA19088-MarsCuriosityRover-MethaneSource-20141216.png\|Mars Curiosity Rover Methane Source
			</gallery>

Prab: CSV import

2024-02-24T18:29:20Z

CSV import

New page

'''Methane''' is a chemical compound with the chemical formula [[CH4|Methane (CH4)]]. It is the simplest [[alkane]] and the main component of [[natural gas]]. Methane is a group-14 [[hydride]] and the simplest [[alkane]], and is the main constituent of [[natural gas]]. The relative abundance of methane on Earth makes it an attractive fuel, although capturing and storing it poses challenges due to its gaseous state under normal conditions for temperature and pressure.

== Properties and bonding ==
Methane is a [[tetrahedral molecule]] with four equivalent [[C–H bonds]]. Its electronic structure is described by four bonding [[molecular orbitals]] (MOs) resulting from the overlap of the valence orbitals on C and H. The lowest energy MO is the result of the overlap of the 2s orbital on carbon with the in-phase combination of the 1s orbitals on the four hydrogen atoms.

== Natural occurrence ==
Methane is created near the Earth's surface, primarily by [[microbial methanogenesis]]. It is carried into the [[stratosphere]] by rising air in the tropics. Uncontrolled build-up of methane in Earth's atmosphere is naturally checked—although human influence can upset this balance—by methane's reaction with [[hydroxyl radicals]] formed from [[singlet oxygen]] atoms and with water vapor.

== Uses ==
Methane is used in industrial chemical processes and may be transported as a refrigerated liquid (liquefied natural gas, or LNG). While leaks from a refrigerated liquid container are initially heavier than air due to the increased density of the cold gas, the gas at ambient temperature is lighter than air. Gas pipelines distribute large amounts of natural gas, of which methane is the principal component.

== Safety ==
Methane is nontoxic, yet it is extremely flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air. Methane is also an asphyxiant if the oxygen concentration is reduced to below about 16% by displacement, as most people can tolerate a reduction from 21% to 16% without ill effects.

== See also ==
* [[Greenhouse gas]]
* [[Methanogenesis]]
* [[Methanotroph]]

[[Category:Alkanes]]
[[Category:Greenhouse gases]]
[[Category:Industrial gases]]
[[Category:Natural gases]]

{{stub}}

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:38, 23 February 2025
Line 24:		Line 24:

	{{stub}}		{{stub}}
			<gallery>
			File:Methane-2D-dimensions.svg\|Methane 2D dimensions
			File:Covalent.svg\|Covalent
			File:The_fire_within_her.jpg\|The fire within her
			File:Global_Methane_Budget_2017.jpg\|Global Methane Budget 2017
			File:Origins_of_Biotic_and_Abiotic_Methane.jpg\|Origins of Biotic and Abiotic Methane
			File:CSIRO_ScienceImage_1898_Testing_Sheep_for_Methane_Production.jpg\|Testing Sheep for Methane Production
			File:The_Creation_of_Methane_Within_a_Ruminant.svg\|The Creation of Methane Within a Ruminant
			File:Diagram_of_sustainable_methane_fuel_production-en.svg\|Diagram of sustainable methane fuel production
			File:CH4_mm.png\|CH4 mm
			File:Sources_of_methane_emissions,_2021.jpg\|Sources of methane emissions, 2021
			File:Abatement_potential_of_policy_measures,_2021.jpg\|Abatement potential of policy measures, 2021
			File:PIA19088-MarsCuriosityRover-MethaneSource-20141216.png\|Mars Curiosity Rover Methane Source
			</gallery>

Methane - Revision history

Prab: CSV import

Prab: CSV import