When natural gas is in a gaseous state, what is it primarily composed of?

Natural gas is primarily composed of methane, which is a simple hydrocarbon consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). It is the primary component of natural gas, making up about 70-90% of its composition. Methane is responsible for the energy content of natural gas, and its combustion produces carbon dioxide and water, which are the primary byproducts.

In the context of natural gas, the other compounds such as propane, butane, and hexane are generally present in much smaller amounts. Propane and butane are heavier hydrocarbons that can be derived from natural gas but are typically categorized as liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) rather than as components of natural gas when it is in its gaseous state. Hexane is a higher hydrocarbon and is not a relevant component of natural gas under normal gaseous conditions. Therefore, methane is the most significant and prevalent gas in natural gas mixtures.