Which of the following is an example of an organic compound?

An organic compound is defined primarily by the presence of carbon atoms, typically bonded to hydrogen and possibly to other elements such as oxygen, nitrogen, or sulfur. Methane (CH4) fits this definition perfectly as it consists of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms. This simple structure represents the most basic form of organic compounds, often serving as the fundamental building block for more complex organic molecules.

Other compounds provided in the options do not qualify as organic compounds. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) is considered an inorganic compound despite containing carbon because it lacks the hydrogen component that is characteristic of organic molecules. Similarly, water (H2O) and oxygen (O2) are also inorganic and do not contain any carbon, which is essential for the classification of a compound as organic. Thus, the identification of methane as an organic compound is based on its carbon-hydrogen structure, distinguishing it clearly from the other listed substances.