What is the chemical formula for methane?

The chemical formula for methane is represented as CH4. This indicates that each molecule of methane consists of one carbon atom (C) and four hydrogen atoms (H). Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon and serves as a significant component of natural gas. Its structure is tetrahedral, with the carbon atom at the center bonded to the four hydrogen atoms, forming a stable molecular configuration.

In contrast, the other options represent different chemical compounds. For instance, C2H6 corresponds to ethane, which has two carbon atoms and six hydrogen atoms, making it more complex than methane. CO2 is carbon dioxide, which consists of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms, and does not contain hydrogen. Lastly, C3H8 denotes propane, which is another hydrocarbon, but it contains three carbon atoms and eight hydrogen atoms, indicating it is larger and has a different structure than methane. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in the study of hydrocarbons and their applications in the energy sector, particularly in relation to natural gas.