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Methane, what is it ?

Methane is a chemical compound from the alkane family with the chemical formula CH₄, one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms.

It was discovered and isolated by Alessandro Volta between 1776 and 1778.

Methane is a gas composed of molecules of four hydrogen atoms and one carbon atom.

Methane occurs naturally on Earth.

Methane is found in natural regions with little or no oxygen, such as marshes.

It is produced by living organisms such as plants, animals, etc. under the effect of fermentation or digestion.

Colorless and odorless, methane constitutes 90% of natural gas, which is the world's third energy resource used after oil and coal.

Methane is the only hydrocarbon that can be obtained by a natural process.

It poses a risk to the environment, because methane is one of the main greenhouse gases, it is the second most important greenhouse gas.

Its formula is denoted CH₄.

This gas occurs naturally.

It is produced as a result of fermentation or digestion by living organisms, especially in wetlands.

The main anthropogenic sources are: rice cultivation, livestock, landfills and energy production, the main ones being gas, oil and coal.

Methane is the main component of natural gas, which is today the main gas used in the production of energy.