Arrangements of Carbon Atoms in Alkanes

We have recently been hearing about the use of compressed natural gas as a source of energy. There are a number of different hydrocarbon substances that can provide energy. Alcanes are hydrocarbons that have only single covalent bonds. When any substance is burned with a lot of hydrogen it will have a blue color to the flame. A blue color is an indicator of the burning of hydrogen.

Methane, ethane, and propane all have the carbon atome arranged in a row and this is the only arrangement possible. The first 10 alkanes are Methane (CH4); Ethane (C2H6); Propane (C3H8); Butane (C4H10); Pentane (C5H12); Hexane (C6H14); Heptane (C7H16); Octane (C8H18); Nonane (C6H20); and Decane (C6H22).

Methane can be found in marshes and is sometimes called "marsh gas" and it can actually burn as a result of lightning or being exposed to some other flame. At night the burning of marsh gas can create an eerie blue color. If a person was to sit on the ground the marsh gas could be at a level that would be able to make it impossible to breathe and could even kill a person. If a person was standing it is not likely to kill a person because the gas would rarely get to a depth of that amount. Methane is also the gas that can bubble to the surface in landfills and sewer systems and can catch on fire or even explode. Your bathroom sink has a "U" shaped section that traps a small amount of water and although you may think that this "U" shaped "trap" is to catch things like your ring should it go down the drain, it's main function is to block sewer gas (methane) from coming out of the pipes back into your home.

Propane is of course used in stoves and torches and since it has more hydrogen atoms it has more potential power. Butane is used in lighters and it has even more hydrogen atoms and consequently more potential power. Eventually we move up to Octane which has 18 hydrogen atoms and it is no wonder why we consider the octane level important in our gasoline.

When the carbon atoms do line up, the alkane is a "normal alkane" or "n-alkane" (with the "n" meaning normal". Any alkane with more than three carbon atoms can have different possible arrangements that can be in a branched or un-branched form. It is important to remember that it is not only the carbon that is important but that it is also the amount of hydrogen. The cost to the consumer for compressed natural gas has been increasing and even with more production the cost may be somewhat prohibitive. There is also a limit to the amount of natural gas that is available because it is also a non-renewable resource. We should not think of the use of compressed natural gas as a long term solution to our energy needs but it can provide a part of the short term solution.