How many hydrogen atoms are in methane

How many hydrogen atoms are in methane

hydrogen & methane


How many hydrogen atoms are in methane?

 4 atoms.

The methane molecule has a central carbon atom, this atom contains four valence electrons and needs four second electrons, and those four electrons are derived from hydrogen atoms numbered four, and thus the central atom is completed and stabilized, and all hydrogen atoms have their own bond angles equal to one hundred and nine degrees .

This is due to the reason that the molecule takes the shape and pattern of a tetrahedron, and that methane gas belongs to the group of basic components that enter into the formation of natural gas, and in the event of combustion of one molecule of methane gas while oxygen is present, it will result in a molecule of CO2, which is dioxide gas. Carbon and two parts of water H2O, and the equation that expresses the reaction is as follows:

CH4 + 2O2 —> CO2 + 2H2O

There is a covalent bond between the carbon and hydrogen atoms in methane, and this bond has been classified as one of the strongest bonds found in all hydrocarbons, and for this reason this bond is not used as a chemical medium except in very few times.

When conducting research on how to facilitate and activate the emerging bond between CH present in methane and lower second alkanes, it will be a unique area of ​​research and will gain huge acceptance as it will serve many industrial processes.

Pure methane in itself does not have any odor, but if it is used as a fossil fuel, it is mixed with small percentages and quantities of sulfur compounds and derivatives that have a strong and pungent odor such as ethyl mercaptan, in order to be easy to detect leak sites.

Methane belongs to the group of greenhouse gases, and it has a burning rate that exceeds that of carbon dioxide by 12 times, and methane has been classified as one of the vital gases, because its production takes place in the event of the decomposition of a group of organic materials, but in the absence of oxygen gas .

The special commission for conducting geological surveys inside America has estimated the ratios of gas hydrates within the borders of the country, which amounted to 320,000 trillion cubic feet, and this means that it contains two hundred times the ratios of resources and the total natural gas reserves that are uniform in all countries.

The main sources of methane are numerous and numerous, including the decomposition of organic waste, in addition to the natural resources represented in swamps, fossil fuel extraction and methane extraction from coal seams.

The role of livestock digestion processes, the bacteria groups present in farms in general and rice in particular, and anaerobic combustion cannot be ignored, and the human organism and its role in this cannot be ignored.

methane symbol

CH 4

Methane is the simplest gas belonging to saturated hydrocarbons, and its chemical formula is CH 4 , and it contains four hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom, and it has been classified as the simplest alkane ever .

Methane gas rises and as soon as it reaches the surface of the atmosphere it is called atmospheric methane. The presence of methane is not limited to a specific place as it can be found below the sea floor and it can be found below ground level, and it does not have any distinctive smell.

But we can say that its smell belongs to the group of sweet oils, colorless, and has a flammability, does not cause poisoning, that is, it is non-toxic, and the number of surfaces is four, and the bonds between CH are a bonus.

It can be easily produced by the anaerobic coliform, and methane was identified as early as 1776 by an ancient physicist in Italy, Alessandro Volta.


Methane belongs to the group of greenhouse gases, and is considered the most important, and 70% of its emissions are closely related to human activities and works represented in industry, agriculture and others, and pure methane is only a raw material that enjoys large proportions of energy.

Its energy density is 55.7 megajoules / kg, and it is mainly used to generate electricity in order to be able to cook and heat indoors.

CH4 has a molecular weight or molar mass of 16.04 g/mol, a density of 0.656 kg/m³, a boiling point of -161.50°C, and a melting point of −182.5°C.

methane gas preparation

The methods of preparing or making methane are similar to the famous methods that are used when preparing a group of alkanes. In fact, these methods are used in a specialized laboratory. Among the basic methods that are used in the methane manufacturing process are the following:

Sodium acetate

The first method : This method of preparing methane has gained great fame from ancient times to our time. This method is carried out in laboratories. Methane production begins by exposing a mixture consisting of sodium acetate.

Provided that the anhydrous soda lime is fire until they are heated, and the proportions for each component are 1: 2 anhydrous sodium acetate soda lime and the equation for the reaction is as follows:

CH 3 COONa + NaOH → Na 2 CO 3 + CH 4

Soda lime is made by heating only one part caustic soda to three parts lime, provided it is cooled with NaOH and CaO.

Sodium hydroxide takes an active part in the reaction and all equipment and glassware used in the reaction for calcium oxide are prevented from decomposing by the use of sodium hydroxide.

You should be aware of an important thing, which is that the methane produced by this method collects the gas on top of the water surface, and methane in this case contains ethylene and hydrogen gas in the form of impurities.

In order for the impurities to be removed, the impure gas must flow through a solution of potassium permanganate, and thus the output will be pure gaseous gas free from the presence of impurities. 

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