| Methane |
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Physical Properties
Color - Colorless
Odor - Odorless
Molecular Weight - \(16.04g/mol\)
Melting Point - \(-295.6 F^\circ(-182C^\circ)\)
Boiling Point - \(-258.7 F^\circ(-161.5C^\circ)\)
Flash Point - \(-306.4 F^\circ(-188C^\circ)\)
Autoignition Temp. - \(1000 F^\circ(538C^\circ)\)
LFL - \(5.0\)%
UFL - \(15.0\)%
PEL - \(1000\;ppm\)
Density - \(0.02004lbm/in^3\)@\(32F^\circ (0.5547g/cc\)@\(0.0C^\circ)\)
Vapor Pressure - \(75.0torr\)@\(-303.3F^\circ (0.1000bar\)@\(-186.3C^\circ)\)
Heat of Fusion - \(25.2BTU/lb (58.6J/g)\)
Heat of Vaporization - \(219.7BTU/lb (10.6J/g)\)
Thermal Conductivity - \(0.156BTUin/hrft^3F^\circ (0.0225W/mK)\)
Chemical Properties
Chemical Formula - \(CH_4\)
State of Matter - Gas
Flammability - Highly
Critical Pressure - \(34495.3torr (45.99bar)\)
Critical Temperature - \(-117 F^\circ (-82.6C^\circ)\)
Critical Density - \(0.00589 lb/in^3 (0.163g/cc)\)
Critical Molar Volume - \(0.62in^3/mol (98.6cm^3/mol)\)
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Methane is the simplest alkane hydrocarbon, consisting of a single carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms, giving it the chemical formula \(CH_4\). It is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that is the main component of natural gas, making it a crucial fossil fuel for electricity generation, heating, and industrial processes. Methane is naturally produced through the decomposition of organic matter in anaerobic conditions, found in environments such as wetlands, landfills, and the digestive systems of ruminant animals. It is also released during the extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas. As a potent greenhouse gas, methane is significantly more effective at trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere than carbon dioxide over a shorter timeframe, contributing to climate change, which makes understanding and mitigating its emissions a critical environmental concern.
