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Methane

Category: Chemistry

Level: SS2

Syllabus topic: SS2 Organic Chemistry (Alkanes)

Formula: CH₄

Description: Methane is a simple hydrocarbon and a greenhouse gas.

📝 Exam Key Points
  1. Methane is the first alkane; the alkane general formula is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.
  2. Carbon is sp³ hybridised, giving a tetrahedral shape with a 109.5° bond angle.
  3. Alkanes react by substitution (e.g. with chlorine in UV light) and burn in excess oxygen to give CO₂ and H₂O.

Methane

CH₄

Chemistry · SS2

Syllabus topic: SS2 Organic Chemistry (Alkanes)

Key Exam Points

  1. Methane is the first alkane; the alkane general formula is CₙH₂ₙ₊₂.
  2. Carbon is sp³ hybridised, giving a tetrahedral shape with a 109.5° bond angle.
  3. Alkanes react by substitution (e.g. with chlorine in UV light) and burn in excess oxygen to give CO₂ and H₂O.

Student Notes

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