One world essay: Methane
Figure 1: Atomic Structure of Methane
Figure 1: Atomic Structure of Methane
Methane otherwise known as CH4 is a chemical compound. It is a colorless natural gas and is also highly flammable (Encyclopedia, Britannica).
It’s the simplest alkane and the main component of natural gas. Its molar mass is approximately 16g. Although methane is not commonly used in daily life but is generally piped into houses to use as domestic heating and cooking purposes.
Methane has a boiling point of -259 degrees and a melting point of -296.6 degrees. As you can see in Figure 1 there is a carbon atom central to the methane molecule, which has 4 valence electrons and needs 4 more electrons from 4 hydrogen atoms to make it stable. Methane is a chemical compound that is important to the earth in some ways. If you remove one hydrogen atom from a molecule of methane, you will get –CH3-a functional group called the “methyl group”
Methane in the atmosphere is oxidized, producing carbon dioxide and water. It is the most reactive trace gas in the atmosphere. The atmospheric concentration of methane has increased.
Figure 2: Frozen Methane found in outer space
Figure 2: Frozen Methane found in outer space
The Essay on Alkanes Gas Atoms Carbon
Alkanes The alkanes are the simplest form of organic compounds. They are made up of only Carbon atoms and Hydrogen atoms. All of the bonds are single and the number of hydrogen atoms versus carbon atoms follows this formula: Ch 2 n+2 Alkanes are all non-polar molecules so they aren't soluble in water. Here are some more facts. -Referred to as 'Saturated' -They have-low densities-low melting points ...
Alessandro Volta discovered methane in 1776 and 1778. Methane is scientifically important because it plays important roles to the earths atmosphere. Methane contributes to the survival of plants radiative energy and global atmosheric chemistry. It was noticed in the atmoshere in 1948 from features in the infared absorption spectrum and is now measured properly (Melton, 2007).
Methane is Figure 3: Natural and Man-made production of Methane
Figure 3: Natural and Man-made production of Methane
found in natural gas fields such as wetlands and oceans around the world along with plants and animals. As you can see in Figure 3 Methane is also found in anthropogenic areas such as rice cultivation, coal mining, biomass burning etc.
Methane impacts society as it’s a major greenhouse gas. It prevents heat from radiating in the atmosphere, leading to global warming, a negative enviromental impact. Methane is 21 times better at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Methane also increases the amount of water vapor In the stratosphere. These are negatively effects on the the earth atmosphere. Methane also has positive effects as it protects the ozone layer. It also removes chlorine atoms from the stratosphere, if chlorine atoms do not react with methane it would react with ozone, which it would probably destroy it. Methane can effect the economically and political aspects in life by increasing the pollution in the atmosphere.
Every one in the world today experiences methane as it is a natural gase from the human body. Natural gas which comes from humans could lead to stomach pain and food poisining. Something else about it is that it smells and sometimes makes a strange noise.
When methane burns in air, the gas it combines with is oxygen. When methane and oxygen react , the products can be carbon monoxide and water vapor or even carbon dioxide. Methane is also found in soils, soils contain populations of methonotrophic bacteria that can oxidise methane.
(Climate Science of Methane)
In conclusion I discovered that methane has an impact on multiple aspects of life such as society and the enviroment. It negatively affect the enviroment as it contributes to a large amount of global warming. Methane does not have many domestic uses but is regulary used for heating houses or cooking.
The Term Paper on Enviormental Affects Of Global Warming
Environmental effects of global warming The greenhouse effect and global warming are issues that are talked about by geologists all the time. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that keeps the earth at temperatures that are livable. Energy from the sun warms the earth when its heat rays are absorbed by greenhouse gasses and become trapped in the atmosphere. Some of the most common ...
Works Cited
“Climate Science of Methane.” ECI.ox.au. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2013.
“CO2 Now.” Methane & Climate Science. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013.
“Methane.” Ask.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013.
“Methane.” Chemical of the Week. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2013.
“Methane.” Encyclopedia Britannica. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 May 2013.
“Methane: Good Gas or Bad Gas.” National Geographic. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2013.
