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ordinary gas which we use in houses,contain odourless hydrocarbon called methane(CH4),but we know the fact gas have characteristic smell ,so from where it come,plz little explain????

2006-08-14 04:49:50 · 8 answers · asked by science125 1 in Science & Mathematics Chemistry

8 answers

A small quantity of a gas with a smell detectable in parts per billion called mercaptan is added to the natural gas. It contains sulphur.

2006-08-14 05:02:01 · answer #1 · answered by Robert A 5 · 2 0

The utility company adds a mercaptan to the gas. This is a sulfur based compound that has a very low odor threshold. The can just a few part per million and the odor is immediately detectable. Addition of this odor compound is a safety measure to give home owners warning that gas is present.

In large commercial uses, this mercaptan is not added because of the large volume of gas that would have to be treated.

2006-08-14 08:03:40 · answer #2 · answered by richard Alvarado 4 · 0 0

Gas companies add chemicals called mercaptans to give it the smell. Interesting fact: Mercaptans are also present in the smell from skunks!

2006-08-15 00:46:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

In nature Methane gas is odorless and lighter than air. By law to sell it must contain this odor that is derived From rotting things,but that tricks us the odor is heavier than air. The environmentalist want to tell u that is destroying our environment,prove it sense it is lighter than air how do u measure it??

2006-08-14 05:00:09 · answer #4 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0 0

The gas company puts something in it to give it an odor so that people will be able to smell gas leaks.

2006-08-14 04:53:18 · answer #5 · answered by tbolling2 4 · 1 0

The utility company adds an odor so that people will know if they have a gas leak...

2006-08-14 04:55:50 · answer #6 · answered by jean4sd02 1 · 0 0

Robert is absolutely right! The gas company's add it so you can tell if there is a leak.

2006-08-14 05:08:16 · answer #7 · answered by BeC 4 · 0 0

It is a trace amount of a mercaptan. Probably CH3SH.

2006-08-14 07:12:40 · answer #8 · answered by andyoptic 4 · 0 0

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