Fig. 1 shows an electron diagram for one molecule of methane collected from a small biogas plant. Methane is a substance containing carbon and hydrogen atom...
Question 1 Report
Fig. 1 shows an electron diagram for one molecule of methane collected from a small biogas plant. Methane is a substance containing carbon and hydrogen atoms. The gas is used as a fuel, so the student needs to identify its formula and bonding before comparing it with other fuels.
(a) Give the formula of methane. [1]
(b) State the number of covalent bonds shown in the diagram. [1]
(c) Explain how one covalent bond between carbon and hydrogen is formed. [2]
(d) State why methane has a low boiling point compared with diamond. [1]
Answer Details
(a) The formula of methane is \(\mathrm{CH_4}\). [1]
(b) The diagram shows four covalent bonds. [1]
(c) One electron from carbon and one electron from hydrogen are shared. This shared pair of electrons forms one covalent bond. [2]
(d) Methane consists of small molecules with weak forces between molecules, so little energy is needed to separate them. Diamond is instead a giant covalent structure. [1]
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