Discussions about greenhouse gases are almost always dominated by the topic of carbon dioxide. While carbon dioxide’s recognition is well-deserved, not enough time is invested in thinking about the problems associated with the emissions from another very important greenhouse gas: methane. Although there are higher concentrations of carbon dioxide in the air, methane is shockingly thirty times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere. (1) Methane can be dangerous in other ways as well; including workplace injuries and contaminated drinking water. It is an explosive molecule that deserves more attention. Structurally, methane is easy to understand- a single carbon atom covalently bonded to four hydrogen atoms. However, the effects of
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As stated earlier, a molecule of methane is simply a carbon atom with four hydrogen atoms attached, with a chemical formula of CH4. Because the carbon is fulfilled with four bonds to four hydrogen atoms, it is classified as a saturated hydrocarbon. Methane is non-polar and therefore insoluble in water. Methane is formed from decaying material, which explains why it is found in landfills, septic tanks, and sewers. It is also naturally found in pockets underground and in the ocean. The population’s major fuel source, natural gas, is primarily composed of methane. When you light the stove, turn on the light, or run the heater, you are likely using methane. Natural gas is used for energy because methane and other simple alkanes readily react with oxygen, making them highly flammable. Because methane is odorless and colorless, we add hydrogen sulfide to give it a distinct smell so we are able to detect dangerous levels with our noses and prevent explosive disasters. (2) This means that what you actually smell from a gas leak is hydrogen sulfide, not methane …show more content…
These gasses trap heat and therefore raise the temperature of the entire planet. At normal levels, this is a good thing. Greenhouse gases are necessary for life on Earth to exist. Without them, we would all freeze from the wicked coldness of outer space. The ‘Greenhouse Gas Effect’ works by gases (such as methane) taking in heat radiation and then releasing that heat. The released heat radiation is then often absorbed by another greenhouse gas molecule and the process repeats- meaning much of the heat is trapped within these gas molecules in a repeating cycle. When we have too many greenhouse gases, barely any heat can escape at all, making the planet too hot. (3) Carbon dioxide is known as the chief greenhouse gas because of the long lasting devastation it causes. Although we definitely should continue to worry about carbon dioxide, we need to keep methane in mind as well. Methane is much more effective at trapping and absorbing heat than carbon dioxide, but those effects do not last as long. (4) The good news is that because methane is such a fast-acting pollutant, it leaves the atmosphere rather quickly, so we can see results a great deal sooner. (5) The desirable response would be to focus on trying to reduce emissions from all greenhouse gases, instead of solely carbon dioxide. This way, we can experience successful short term and long term
As stated earlier, a molecule of methane is simply a carbon atom with four hydrogen atoms attached, with a chemical formula of CH4. Because the carbon is fulfilled with four bonds to four hydrogen atoms, it is classified as a saturated hydrocarbon. Methane is non-polar and therefore insoluble in water. Methane is formed from decaying material, which explains why it is found in landfills, septic tanks, and sewers. It is also naturally found in pockets underground and in the ocean. The population’s major fuel source, natural gas, is primarily composed of methane. When you light the stove, turn on the light, or run the heater, you are likely using methane. Natural gas is used for energy because methane and other simple alkanes readily react with oxygen, making them highly flammable. Because methane is odorless and colorless, we add hydrogen sulfide to give it a distinct smell so we are able to detect dangerous levels with our noses and prevent explosive disasters. (2) This means that what you actually smell from a gas leak is hydrogen sulfide, not methane …show more content…
These gasses trap heat and therefore raise the temperature of the entire planet. At normal levels, this is a good thing. Greenhouse gases are necessary for life on Earth to exist. Without them, we would all freeze from the wicked coldness of outer space. The ‘Greenhouse Gas Effect’ works by gases (such as methane) taking in heat radiation and then releasing that heat. The released heat radiation is then often absorbed by another greenhouse gas molecule and the process repeats- meaning much of the heat is trapped within these gas molecules in a repeating cycle. When we have too many greenhouse gases, barely any heat can escape at all, making the planet too hot. (3) Carbon dioxide is known as the chief greenhouse gas because of the long lasting devastation it causes. Although we definitely should continue to worry about carbon dioxide, we need to keep methane in mind as well. Methane is much more effective at trapping and absorbing heat than carbon dioxide, but those effects do not last as long. (4) The good news is that because methane is such a fast-acting pollutant, it leaves the atmosphere rather quickly, so we can see results a great deal sooner. (5) The desirable response would be to focus on trying to reduce emissions from all greenhouse gases, instead of solely carbon dioxide. This way, we can experience successful short term and long term