Natural gas is mainly comprised of which common hydrocarbon?

Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, which is the simplest hydrocarbon with the chemical formula CH4. It is a colorless and odorless gas that consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. Methane is the main component of natural gas, typically making up about 70-90% of its composition. Its properties make it highly efficient for heating and energy production.

The other options, although they are also hydrocarbons, are not the primary constituents of natural gas. Ethane, propane, and butane are heavier hydrocarbons that may be present in natural gas but in much smaller quantities. Ethane, for instance, can be found in natural gas but constitutes a smaller percentage compared to methane. Similarly, propane and butane are also present but are primarily associated with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rather than being key components of natural gas itself. Thus, the prominence of methane as the major constituent makes it the correct answer to this question.