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INTERACTIVE MOLECULES -- BENZENE

The simplest hydrocarbon , methane is a gas with a chemical formula of CH4

[Ice structure shown using the JMol Applet]

What is the Geometry of Methane?

Try this!!

Click the right mouse button with the cursor over the image-->

Render --> Schemes --> CPK Spacefill

Click on the left mouse button and rotate the ice structure.

Do you see the open spaces in ice? They are formed at low temperatures when water molecules form many stable hydrogen bonds.

Compare this structure to that below of water at room temperature.

Below is shown the molecule Methane.

Try this.

Notice when you rotate the methane molecule it is off-center. Click on the tools pulldown and select 'pickcenter'. Click the center carbon atom in the methane molecule. Now rotate the methane molecule. It should rotate around the center carbon atom.

What polyhedral stucture would you think methane best represents? Click on the tetrahedral box. Now rotate the object to show how the molecule fits snugly within the tetrahedron.

 To rotate object hold left mouse button down and slide cursor arrow over object


 


A principal component of natural gas, methane is significant . Burning one molecule of methane in the presence of oxygen releases one molecule of CO2[carbon dioxide) and two molecules of H2O (water): CH4 + 2O2 ---> CO2 + 2H2O The strength of the carbon hydrogen covalent bond in methane is among the strongest in all hydrocarbons, and thus its use as a chemical feedstock is limited. The search for which one can facilitate C-H bond activation in methane and other low alkanes is an area of research with considerable industrial significance. Pure methane is odorless, but when used as a fuel it is usually mixed with small quantities of strongly-smelling sulfur compounds such as ethyl mercaptan to enable the detection of leaks. Methane is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 22 (meaning that it has 22 times the warming ability of carbon dioxide). Methane results from the decomposition of certain organic matters in the absence of oxygen. It is therefore also classified as a biogas.

1) What is the distance of the hydrogen bond show?

Please enter your answer in the space provided:


angstroms.

2) What is the measure of the HOH angle in a single molecule of water?

degrees.

3)What is distance between the oxygen atoms in a water dimer?

angstroms

Multiple Choice Questions

1. Water is considered a polar molecule because
a) the molecule has a net positive charge
b) the molecule has a net negative charge
c) the molecule has a net zero charge
d) the ends of the molecule have partial negative and positive charges

2. Hydrogen bonds in water are formed
a) only at very high temperatures
b) between two oxygen atoms
c)between a hydrogen atom of one water molecule and a hydrogen atom of another water molecule
d) between the hydrogen atom of one water molecule and the oxygen atom of another water molecule

3. The H-O-H angle formed is a(an):
a)acute angle
b) right angle
c)obtuse angle
d)reflex angle

4. The reason water droplets form is
a)
b) strong hydrogen bonds give water a high cohesiveness
c)
d)

5. Which of the following statements is correct
a) water is a solvent and table salt is a solute
b) table salt is a solvent and water is a solute
c) water and salt are both solvents
d) water and salt are both considered solutes

 


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