Alkanes - Methane
Hydrocarbons – Methane (Alkanes)
Introduction to Hydrocarbons – Methane
Carbons have the ability to form many different compounds. Compounds of carbon that only contain carbon and hydrogen are known as hydrocarbons. Most hydrocarbons naturally occur in the mixture crude oil. There are three main types of hydrocarbons, alkanes – saturated hydrocarbons made up of only single bonds, alkenes – unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more double bond/s, and alkynes – unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more triple bond/s (Shapley, P. 2012).
Methane, CH4, is a type of alkane that is found in oil, gas and coal deposits [Refer to Figure 1]. It is the largest component of natural gas. At STP, or standard temperature and pressure, methane is a colourless and odorless gas (Clean Air Strategic Alliance, n.d.). The main reactions associated with methane are combustion and halogenation, such as CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O (combustion) and CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl (halogenation).
Methane was first discovered in 1776 by Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). He began to use a stick to poke the bottom of water that was filled with mud, and noticed many gas bubbles float up and burst on the surface. He then collected some of the gas from the gas bubbles and discovered that it burned relatively easily. He first named the gas “inflammable air from marshlands”, which we now know as Methane. Besides discovering Methane, Volta is also known for the invention of batteries.
How has Discovering Methane helped with Chemistry?
The discovery of methane has assisted in the knowledge of hydrocarbons. As methane is a type of alkane, the discovery of Methane has led to a greater understanding of alkanes. Due to methane being the first compound in the alkane series, the methane structure can be used as the base and foundation of understanding other alkane chemical structures, such as ethane and butane. The structure of different alkanes as well as other hydrocarbons could also be estimated
Introduction to Hydrocarbons – Methane
Carbons have the ability to form many different compounds. Compounds of carbon that only contain carbon and hydrogen are known as hydrocarbons. Most hydrocarbons naturally occur in the mixture crude oil. There are three main types of hydrocarbons, alkanes – saturated hydrocarbons made up of only single bonds, alkenes – unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more double bond/s, and alkynes – unsaturated hydrocarbons with one or more triple bond/s (Shapley, P. 2012).
Methane, CH4, is a type of alkane that is found in oil, gas and coal deposits [Refer to Figure 1]. It is the largest component of natural gas. At STP, or standard temperature and pressure, methane is a colourless and odorless gas (Clean Air Strategic Alliance, n.d.). The main reactions associated with methane are combustion and halogenation, such as CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O (combustion) and CH4 + Cl2 → CH3Cl + HCl (halogenation).
Methane was first discovered in 1776 by Alessandro Volta (1745-1827). He began to use a stick to poke the bottom of water that was filled with mud, and noticed many gas bubbles float up and burst on the surface. He then collected some of the gas from the gas bubbles and discovered that it burned relatively easily. He first named the gas “inflammable air from marshlands”, which we now know as Methane. Besides discovering Methane, Volta is also known for the invention of batteries.
How has Discovering Methane helped with Chemistry?
The discovery of methane has assisted in the knowledge of hydrocarbons. As methane is a type of alkane, the discovery of Methane has led to a greater understanding of alkanes. Due to methane being the first compound in the alkane series, the methane structure can be used as the base and foundation of understanding other alkane chemical structures, such as ethane and butane. The structure of different alkanes as well as other hydrocarbons could also be estimated