What is the full name of CH₄?

The full name of CH₄ is Methane. It is the simplest hydrocarbon that belongs to the alkane group and consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.

Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4. It is the first member of the alkane series, which are saturated hydrocarbons. In methane, carbon makes four single covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms, giving it a tetrahedral shape.

Properties of Methane:

• Physical State: Methane is a colorless, odorless gas at room temperature.
• Odor: Pure methane is odorless, but in household gas supplies, odorants are added to detect leaks.
• Structure: Tetrahedral shape with bond angles of 109.5°.
• Flammability: Highly flammable and burns with a blue flame.
• Density: Lighter than air.

Sources of Methane:

• Natural gas deposits underground.
• Biogas produced by decomposition of organic matter.
• Cow dung and paddy fields release methane due to bacterial activity.
• Formed in wetlands, called "marsh gas."

Uses of Methane:

• Used as fuel for cooking and heating.
• Main component of compressed natural gas (CNG) used in vehicles.
• Used in electricity generation in power plants.
• Serves as raw material in chemical industries for producing methanol, hydrogen, and fertilizers.

Environmental Role:
Methane is a greenhouse gas, meaning it traps heat in the atmosphere. Though less abundant than carbon dioxide, methane is about 25 times more powerful in causing global warming. Controlling methane emissions is important to fight climate change.

Thus, CH4 is called methane, and it is a simple yet very important gas in our daily life as well as in global climate.