Methane
Molar mass: 16.04 g/mol · Class: Hydrocarbon (alkane)
Elements: carbon, hydrogen
Structure
The molecule is perfectly tetrahedral, with carbon bonded to four hydrogens at 109.5-degree angles. All four C-H bonds are identical and nonpolar, so methane is a nonpolar molecule.
Properties
Colorless, odorless gas (fuel gas is scented for safety)
Burns cleanly to carbon dioxide and water
Nonpolar and nearly insoluble in water
Potent greenhouse gas: about 80 times CO2 over 20 years
Applications
Natural gas for heating, cooking, and electricity
Feedstock for hydrogen and chemical production
Biogas from decomposing organic waste
Highly flammable: forms explosive mixtures with air. Odorless on its own, so leaks are undetectable without added scent. In confined spaces it displaces oxygen. Never use gas appliances without ventilation and detectors.
Data source: IUPAC standard atomic weights 2021; molar mass computed from CH4