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What
is the Geometry of Methane?
The
simplest hydrocarbon , methane is a gas with a chemical formula of CH4
and a molecular weight of 16.04.
| [Ice
structure shown using the JMol Applet] |
Try
this!! Change
to wireframe first: Click
on right mouse button over box Render
--> Schemes --> wireframe Label
the atoms: Labels
--> atom numbers Measure
the following angles: <415
<512
<213
<314 To
measure angles: hold left mouse bottom over atom and double click on atom 1, drag
to second atom (center atom) single click center atom, drag and double click atom
3. | | |
Below is shown the
molecule Methane. Try
this. Notice
when you rotate the methane molecule it is off-center. Click on the tools pulldown
and select 'pickcenter'. Click the center carbon atom in the methane molecule.
Now rotate the methane molecule. It should rotate around the center carbon atom.
What polyhedral
stucture would you think methane best represents? Click on the tetrahedron
box. Now rotate the object to show how the molecule fits snugly within the tetrahedron.
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| | To
rotate object hold left mouse button down and slide cursor arrow over object |
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About
Methane:
Methane
is a principal component of natural gas. When a single molecule of methane is
burned in the presence of oxygen releases one molecule of CO2[carbon dioxide)
and two molecules of H2O (water).
CH4
+ 2O2 ---> CO2 + 2H2O
The
strength of the carbon hydrogen covalent bond in methane is among the strongest
in all hydrocarbons.
Pure
methane is odorless, but when used as a fuel it is usually mixed with small quantities
of strongly-smelling sulfur compounds such as ethyl mercaptan to enable the detection
of leaks.
Methane
is a greenhouse gas with a global warming potential of 22 (meaning that it has
22 times the warming ability of carbon dioxide). Methane results from the decomposition
of certain organic matters in the absence of oxygen. It is therefore also classified
as a biogas.
Try these:
1)
What is the measurement for any of the H-C-H angle ?
Please
enter your answer in the space provided:
2) What is the measure of the C-H bond in methane?
3)How many faces does a tetrahedron
have?
