MethaneCH₄

CH4 • 16.040 g·mol⁻¹

molecularcovalentgasCAS 74-82-8PubChem 297 →
CH₄CH416.0400 g·mol⁻¹
Molar mass16.040 g·mol⁻¹calc 16.043 • Atomic weights: CIAAW 2021 (conventional atomic weights)
FormulaCH₄CH4
Classmolecular • covalentgas
Composition — CH₄
ElementCountMass (g/mol)Mass %
C112.01174.87%
H44.03225.13%

Physical properties

State at STP
gas
Density
0.000657 g·cm⁻³ (gas at STP)
Melting point
90.69 K (1 atm)
Boiling point
111.66 K (1 atm)

Structure & bonding

Tetrahedral with four equivalent C-H sigma bonds. Nonpolar.

Occurrence & preparation

Main component of natural gas; anaerobic decay.

Uses

  • Fuel
  • Chemical feedstock

Safety

Flammable gas; asphyxiant.

Consult current SDS. — consult current SDS before handling.

Constituent elements

Related reactions

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