Difference between revisions of "Methane"
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| − | '''Methane''' | + | '''Methane''' ('''CH<sub>4</sub>''') is a [[chemical]] substance found in a high percentage in [[natural gas]]. It is also a common byproduct of [[digestion]] in humans and [[animal]]s. It is also known as "marsh gas" or "swamp gas" because it is produced when vegetation decomposes in water. Methane is lighter than air, and is extremely volatile. It tends to dissipate quickly, but a large enough concentration can displace breathable air. |
| − | + | Naturally colorless and odorless, methane is deadly in high concentrations, and is one of the "[[greenhouse gas|greenhouse gases]]". | |
A tragic example of how deadly methane is occurred on July 2, 2007, when a [[Mennonite]] farmer climbed into a manure pit to fix an unclogged pipe. Unbeknown to him, methane gas existed in that pit and it almost instantly killed him. A farm hand, also unaware of the existence of the methane gas, rushed in to help the farmer, and then immediately died himself. The farmer's wife and two of his daughters rushed in to help, and they inhaled the methane gas and also died immediately.<ref>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4942397.html</ref> | A tragic example of how deadly methane is occurred on July 2, 2007, when a [[Mennonite]] farmer climbed into a manure pit to fix an unclogged pipe. Unbeknown to him, methane gas existed in that pit and it almost instantly killed him. A farm hand, also unaware of the existence of the methane gas, rushed in to help the farmer, and then immediately died himself. The farmer's wife and two of his daughters rushed in to help, and they inhaled the methane gas and also died immediately.<ref>http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/nation/4942397.html</ref> | ||
Revision as of 18:18, July 26, 2007
Methane (CH4) is a chemical substance found in a high percentage in natural gas. It is also a common byproduct of digestion in humans and animals. It is also known as "marsh gas" or "swamp gas" because it is produced when vegetation decomposes in water. Methane is lighter than air, and is extremely volatile. It tends to dissipate quickly, but a large enough concentration can displace breathable air.
Naturally colorless and odorless, methane is deadly in high concentrations, and is one of the "greenhouse gases".
A tragic example of how deadly methane is occurred on July 2, 2007, when a Mennonite farmer climbed into a manure pit to fix an unclogged pipe. Unbeknown to him, methane gas existed in that pit and it almost instantly killed him. A farm hand, also unaware of the existence of the methane gas, rushed in to help the farmer, and then immediately died himself. The farmer's wife and two of his daughters rushed in to help, and they inhaled the methane gas and also died immediately.[1]