Question

What is the main hydrocarbon component of natural gas?
A) Methane
B) Propane
C) Nitrogen
D) Butane

Answer 1

We have to remember that natural gas consists of both hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon constituents. Hydrocarbon component: are the ones which are made up of carbon and hydrogen atoms. For example: Methane, Ethane.
Non hydrocarbon component: is the one that does not have carbon and hydrogen bond in it. For example: Carbon dioxide, Nitrogen.

Complete step by step answer:
We also remember that the methane is the component in natural gas that is present in higher $\%$ which is approximately $89 - 90\%$ and the rest of it is other gases which are ethane, propane and butane.
Natural gas is extracted from the earth crusts.
Option A) this is a correct option.
The component which is present in higher amounts in natural gas is methane which has a chemical formula $C{H_4}$.
Option B) This option can look right by looking at the structure of propane as it is a type of hydrocarbon gas having a molecular formula ${C_3}{H_8}$. But this option is not right as propane is present in lesser amounts.
Option C) this is an incorrect option as Nitrogen is a non-hydrocarbon gas which is present in natural gas with other gases.
Option D) this option can look right by looking at the structure of butane as it is a type of hydrocarbon gas having a molecular formula ${C_4}{H_{10}}$. But this option is not right as butane is present in lesser amounts.

Note: We must know that natural gas is generally made up of mixtures of gases which are methane, ethane, propane and butane that come under the category of hydrocarbon gases and others are non hydrocarbon gases like carbon dioxide and Nitrogen.