The molecular formula of methane is CH₄. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon and the primary component of natural gas. Its molecular structure consists of one carbon (C) atom covalently bonded to four hydrogen (H) atoms. The chemical formula CH₄ reflects the ratio of carbon to hydrogen atoms, indicating that a single molecule of methane contains one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. This simple tetrahedral molecule is characterized by four sigma (σ) bonds formed by the sharing of electrons between the carbon and hydrogen atoms, and it is a crucial compound in various industrial applications and as a clean-burning fuel.