Methane

Discovery
Methane was first synthesized from carbon and hydrogen in 1904 by a Russian-American chemist, Vladimir Ipatiev (1867-1952).

Properties
Methane is the major component of natural gas, about 87% by volume. At room temperature and standard pressure, methane is a colorless, odorless gas; the smell characteristic of natural gas as used in homes is an artificial safety measure caused by the addition of an odorant, often methanethiol]] or ethanethiol. Methane has a boiling point of −161 °C (−257.8 °F) at a pressure of one Atmosphere (unit)|atmosphere. As a gas it is flammable only over a narrow range of concentrations (5–15%) in air. Liquid methane does not burn unless subjected to high pressure (normally 4–5 atmospheres).

Quick Facts
Name: Methane

Formula: CH4

Melting Point:

Boiling Point: -161.6 celsius

Appearance:

Molar Mass:

Shape: tetrahedryl