Methane

Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4. It is a colorless, odorless gas and is the simplest alkane and the main component of natural gas. Here are some key points to understand about methane:

Properties of Methane:

Methane is a non-polar molecule, which means it does not have a positive or negative end, and it is not soluble in water.
It is lighter than air and has a specific gravity of 0.554, which means it will float in the atmosphere.
Methane is flammable and can form explosive mixtures with air when it reaches a concentration of 5-15% in the air.

Sources of Methane:

Methane is produced through both natural and human activities. Some of the main sources include:

Natural sources such as wetlands, termites, oceans, and volcanoes.
Human activities including the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, as well as livestock farming and waste management.

Uses of Methane:

Methane has various applications, including:

As a fuel for heating and cooking.
As a feedstock in the production of chemicals such as ammonia, methanol, and hydrogen.
As a source of energy in power generation.

Environmental Impact:

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and its release into the atmosphere contributes to global warming and climate change. It has a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, although it has a shorter atmospheric lifetime.

Study Guide Questions:

What is the molecular formula of methane?
What are the natural sources of methane?
What are the properties of methane that make it a useful fuel?
How does the release of methane impact the environment?
What are the main human activities that contribute to methane emissions?

◂Science Worksheets and Study Guides Second Grade. What is science?

Vocabulary/Answer key

What is science?

The resources above cover the following skills:

LIFE SCIENCE

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Obtain information from literature and other media to illustrate that there are many different kinds of living things and that they exist in different places on land and in water (e.g., woodland, tundra, desert, rainforest, ocean, river).

EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Earth’s Systems

Make observations from media to obtain information about Earth’s events that happen over a short period of time (e.g., tornados, volcanic explosions, earthquakes) or over a time period longer than one can observe (e.g., erosion of rocks, melting of glaciers).

Collect and evaluate data to identify water found on Earth and determine whether it is a solid or a liquid (e.g., glaciers as solid forms of water; oceans, lakes, rivers, streams as liquid forms of water).