Methane (Natural Gas) Xavier Scott and Bruce Etheridge CHM 1045 November 9,

Molecular Formula: CH₄ Shape: Tetrahedral Molecular weight : g/mol melts at -184°C, and boils at °C exothermic reaction (ΔH = -891 kJ/mol) State: colorless, odorless gas and is less dense than air 2 Properties

Density = 0.68 kg/m 3 Highly Combustible A non-polar molecule and is insoluble in water It dissolves in non-polar solvents like alcohol 3

Chemical Properties Methane Fuel (Natural Gas) Methane’s Reactivity Bunsen Burner 4

5 Emission level factors: Climate Energy types and usage Waste management practices Temperature Moisture

Global Warming Methane is classed as a greenhouse gas Global Warming Potential (GWP) CO₂ vs. CH₄ Ticking time bomb 6

7 Methane a Global Disaster?

Where do we find Methane? Natural Wetlands 80% Termites Methane Hydrates Oceans Industrial Loss during coal, oil and gas extraction Waste treatment, from landfill sites, rice cultivation and biomass burning 8

Where do we find Methane? Livestock Livestock grazing contributes an estimated 20 percent of all global methane emissions 9

Methanogens 10 Methanogens a very diverse group they are either rod shaped or spherical There are over 50 subspecies of methanogens classified under the Archaebacteria Hydrogenotrophic Acetotrophic or Acetoclastic

History Discovered by Alessandro Volta in 1776 John Dalton( ), collecting methane 11

Methane Applications Fuel Heat homes and buildings Hydrogen Produced by steam-methane reforming Industrial Uses Production of important industrial chemicals 12

References Atkins, Peter. Atkins’ Molecules. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press Print. Roger Haynard and Linius Paulins. The Architecture Of Molecules. San Francisco: W.H. Freeman and Company Print. K.C Nicolaou and T. Montagnon. The Molecules that Changed the World. Germany: Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinhein Print. J.A. Beran. Laboratory Manual for Principles of General Chemistry. Eighth Edition. John Wiley & Sons Inc Print. 13

References Shakhashiri, Bassam Z. Chemical of the Week -- Methane. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Web. 1 November Methane Properties. Gas Plant Manufacturers. Web. 1 November Cotton, Simon. The Molecule of the Month: Methane. Uppingham School, Rutland, UK. Web. 1 November

Acknowledgements Bruce Etheridge Xavier Scott Professor Renee Becker 15