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What is the Geometry of Methane?

The simplest hydrocarbon , methane is a gas with a chemical formula of CH4 and a molecular weight of 16.04.

[Ice structure shown using the JMol Applet]

Try this!!

Change to wireframe first:

Click on right mouse button over box

Render --> Schemes --> wireframe

Label the atoms:

Labels --> atom numbers

Measure the following angles:

<415
<512
<213
<314

To measure angles: hold left mouse bottom over atom and double click on atom 1, drag to second atom (center atom) single click center atom, drag and double click atom 3.

 

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 tetrahedron 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


 


About Methane:

Methane is a principal component of natural gas. When a single molecule of methane is burned 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.

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.


Try these:

1) What is the measurement for any of the H-C-H angle ?

Please enter your answer in the space provided:


degrees.

2) What is the measure of the C-H bond in methane?

angstroms

3)How many faces does a tetrahedron have?

faces

Multiple Choice Questions

1. At room temperature methane is a:
a) solid
b)liquid
c) gas
d)either a gas or liquid

2. When methane is burned in the presence of oxygen:
a) only oxygen is released
b) only carbon dioxide is released
c)pure carbon is formed
d) carbon dioxide and water are released

3. True or False -- Methane is a greenhouse gas
a)true
b) false

4. The molecular weight for methane is:
a) 32
b) 16
c) 18
d) 22

5. Which of the following statements is correct
a) methane is a principal component of natural gas
b)the atmosphere contains approximately 2% methane
c) methane is not considered a biogas
d) all of the above

 


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