CH4
Methane (CH4)
Also known as: natural gas, marsh gas
Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon — one carbon bonded to four hydrogens in a perfect tetrahedron. It is the main component of natural gas, a product of swamps, landfills and cattle digestion, and a potent greenhouse gas, trapping heat far more effectively than CO₂ per molecule.
Molar mass breakdown
16.043 g/mol| Element | Atoms | Mass (g/mol) | % by mass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 1 | 12.011 | 74.87% |
| Hydrogen (H) | 4 | 4.032 | 25.13% |
What methane is used for
- Heating and cooking fuel (natural gas)
- Electricity generation
- Feedstock for hydrogen and methanol production
- The first molecule of organic chemistry class
Key facts
- Molar mass ≈ 16.04 g/mol — lighter than air.
- Complete combustion: CH₄ + 2O₂ → CO₂ + 2H₂O.
- A perfect tetrahedron: H–C–H angles of 109.5°.
Frequently asked questions
What is the molar mass of CH4?
About 16.04 g/mol: 12.011 (C) + 4 × 1.008 (H).
Is methane polar?
No — its symmetric tetrahedral shape cancels the small bond polarities, so it is nonpolar.
Why is methane a strong greenhouse gas?
Per molecule it absorbs infrared radiation far more effectively than CO₂ — over 25× the warming effect across a century, though it breaks down faster.