Which hydrocarbon name corresponds to CH4?

Which hydrocarbon name corresponds to CH4?

• A. Butane
• B. Methane
• C. Propane
• D. Ethane

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is recognizing how hydrocarbon names relate to the number of carbon atoms. CH4 has one carbon atom and four hydrogens, which is the formula for the simplest alkane. This molecule is named methane, the first member of the alkane series, and it’s a common component of natural gas. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, so with n = 1 you get CH4. The other options correspond to molecules with more carbons: ethane is C2H6, propane is C3H8, and butane is C4H10. So CH4 matches methane.

The main idea here is recognizing how hydrocarbon names relate to the number of carbon atoms. CH4 has one carbon atom and four hydrogens, which is the formula for the simplest alkane. This molecule is named methane, the first member of the alkane series, and it’s a common component of natural gas. The general formula for alkanes is CnH2n+2, so with n = 1 you get CH4. The other options correspond to molecules with more carbons: ethane is C2H6, propane is C3H8, and butane is C4H10. So CH4 matches methane.