Question

How can you obtain methane from ethane?

Answer 1

Methane is CH4
Ethane is. C2H6

Method by ☆cracking alkanes☆

In this case, by cracking methane

Cracking alkanes is the method used to split a long alkane structure into smaller alkanes using high temperature and a catalyst.

e.g. C2H6 -> CH4 + CH2

Answer 2

METHANE ON CHLORINATION GIVES CHLOROMETHANE ON WURTZ SYNTHESIS GIVES ETHANE
Chlorination of methane
CH4 + Cl2 → CH3-Cl + HCl (in presence of sunlight)

Wurtz synthesis
2CH3-Cl +2Na → C2H6 (in presence of dry ether)