Which group includes methane, propane, and VOCs?

Which group includes methane, propane, and VOCs?

• A. Hydrocarbons
• B. Nitrogen oxides
• C. Sulfur compounds
• D. Particulates

Answer: (A)

Methane and propane are molecules made only of carbon and hydrogen, which classifies them as hydrocarbons. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a broad group of carbon-containing compounds that easily vaporize into the atmosphere; many of them are hydrocarbons as well. So the category that naturally includes methane, propane, and most VOCs is hydrocarbons. Nitrogen oxides, sulfur compounds, and particulates describe other pollutant types (gases with different elements or solid/liquid particles) that don’t collectively include methane and propane.

Methane and propane are molecules made only of carbon and hydrogen, which classifies them as hydrocarbons. VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, are a broad group of carbon-containing compounds that easily vaporize into the atmosphere; many of them are hydrocarbons as well. So the category that naturally includes methane, propane, and most VOCs is hydrocarbons.

Nitrogen oxides, sulfur compounds, and particulates describe other pollutant types (gases with different elements or solid/liquid particles) that don’t collectively include methane and propane.