What is natural gas primarily composed of?

Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, which is a hydrocarbon made up of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). This makes it the simplest form of alkane, and it serves as the main component of natural gas, often accounting for about 70-90% of its volume. Additionally, natural gas can contain other hydrocarbons in smaller amounts, including ethane, propane, and butane, but methane remains the predominant gas within this resource.

Understanding that natural gas is mainly methane helps clarify the importance of hydrocarbons in its composition. Other gases like carbon dioxide and nitrogen are typically present only in trace amounts and do not represent the primary constituents of natural gas. This composition is crucial for its use as a fuel, as methane burns cleanly and produces less carbon dioxide compared to other fossil fuels when combusted. Thus, the focus on methane and other hydrocarbons in the correct answer reflects natural gas's composition and functional characteristics as an energy source.