Which molecule is characterized by a tetrahedral geometry and is a common alkane?

The molecule characterized by a tetrahedral geometry and classified as a common alkane is ethane. In a tetrahedral geometry, the central atom is surrounded by four other atoms or groups arranged at the corners of a tetrahedron, resulting in bond angles of approximately 109.5 degrees.

In the case of ethane, which has the chemical formula C2H6, each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms and one other carbon atom. This arrangement leads to a tetrahedral shape around each carbon atom. Ethane is indeed a saturate hydrocarbon, meaning it contains only single bonds between carbon atoms, fitting the definition of an alkane.

Other options like ethylene and propylene contain carbon-carbon double bonds, which result in different geometries. Ethylene (C2H4) is planar due to the presence of a double bond, while propylene (C3H6) has more complex geometrical characteristics due to its double bond. Butane (C4H10), while also an alkane, has a different structure with four carbon atoms which may lead to multiple conformations but does not specifically relate to the definition of tetrahedral geometry when considering individual carbon atoms. Thus, ethane stands out as the correct answer due