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CH4

|CH4|

B2

/ˈmiːθeɪn/

simple hydrocarbon gas

Etymology
Etymology Information

'CH4' originates from the chemical formula for methane, where 'C' stands for carbon and 'H4' indicates four hydrogen atoms.

Historical Evolution

The term 'methane' was derived from the French word 'méthane', which was coined in the 19th century.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to the chemical compound, and this meaning has remained consistent.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a colorless, odorless, flammable gas that is the simplest member of the alkane series of hydrocarbons.

CH4 is a major component of natural gas.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45