CH4: Methane
Carbon forms four single bonds with four hydrogens in a tetrahedral, sp3-hybridized geometry to make CH4; produced by methanogens in cow digestion and wetlands, burned as natural gas, and a potent but short-lived greenhouse gas.
One carbon atom, four open bonding spots waiting First hydrogen locks in, one single bond Second hydrogen locks in, two bonds set Third hydrogen locks in, three bonds tighten Fourth hydrogen locks in, four bonds complete Tetrahedral shape, sp three hybridized carbon One hundred nine point five degrees between each bond CH four, methane, the simplest hydrocarbon there is Cow stomachs ferment grass without oxygen present Methanogens, tiny microbes, release methane instead Wetland mud bubbles the same molecule up Natural gas pipelines carry it to your stove Strike a match, CH four meets oxygen twice over Complete combustion, blue flame, barely any smoke Carbon dioxide and water vapor left behind Lighter than air, it rises fast when it leaks One molecule traps far more heat than one of CO2 Potent for decades, then it breaks down and fades Four bonds, one shape, one powerful greenhouse gas
Key Concepts: Carbon forms four single bonds with four hydrogens in a tetrahedral, sp3-hybridized geometry (109.5° bond angles) | Methanogens (archaea, not bacteria) produce methane in cow digestion and wetland mud | Complete combustion (CH4 + 2O2 → CO2 + 2H2O) burns with a blue flame | Methane traps far more heat per molecule than CO2 but breaks down over decades | Companion to "Methano the Burp Gas"
Key Words: tetrahedral, sp3 hybridized, methanogens, combustion, greenhouse gas, CH4