MCQ Detailed View

Marsh gas is the common name for methane (CH₄), which is the simplest hydrocarbon in the alkane series. Methane is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas. It is called marsh gas because it is naturally produced in swamps, marshes, and wetlands due to the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by bacteria.

Methane is composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. It is a key energy source and is widely used as fuel for heating, cooking, and electricity generation. Being a hydrocarbon, it belongs to the organic compounds class and is studied under organic chemistry.

Other options listed are not correct: Nitrogen (N₂) is an inert diatomic gas present in the air. Ethane (C₂H₆) is a higher alkane with two carbon atoms, also combustible but different from marsh gas. Hydrogen (H₂) is a flammable gas, but it is not formed from organic decomposition.

Methane has several chemical properties typical of alkanes. It undergoes combustion to produce carbon dioxide and water and reacts with halogens under UV light to form halogenated derivatives. Methane also contributes to the greenhouse effect as it is a potent greenhouse gas, even though it is present in smaller amounts compared to carbon dioxide.

Understanding marsh gas is important in both environmental chemistry and organic chemistry. It explains how natural processes produce fuels, the role of microbes in decomposing organic matter, and the chemical properties of simple alkanes. Methane is a fundamental compound that connects natural organic processes with energy and environmental applications.