| The alkanes |
| The alkanes are a family of saturated hydrocarbons. This means that they have no double or triple bonds between the carbon atoms - they contain the maximum amount of hydrogen possible. The general formula for the family is CnH2n+2, and the alkanes can occur as both straight- and branched-chain molecules. |
| Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon.The valency of carbon is four and the valency of hydrogen is one. So, one carbon atom combines with four hydrogen atomsto form methane. |
| Methane (CH4) occurs as a natural gas in the underground petroleum wells deep inside the earth. Methane gas is also known as marsh gas as it is emitted by bacterial decomposition of dead plants and animals. Methane is found in coal mine gases, gobar gas, sewage gas and bio-gas. |
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| Methane molecule
has a tetrahedral shape.The various carbon-hydrogen
bonds in methane make an angle of 109o
28' with each other. Straight-chain
alkanes form a classic homologous series. |
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