I'm a chemical science expert with a deep understanding of organic and inorganic chemistry. My expertise lies in the analysis and explanation of various chemical compounds, including their structure, properties, and reactivity.

Now, let's delve into the question at hand: Is CH4, or methane, unsaturated? Methane is the simplest organic molecule and is composed of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. The structure of methane is tetrahedral, with the carbon atom at the center and each hydrogen atom bonded to the carbon atom through a single covalent bond.

In the realm of organic chemistry, the term "saturated" refers to the extent to which the carbon atoms in a molecule are bonded to other atoms. A saturated hydrocarbon, also known as an alkane, is a hydrocarbon that contains only single bonds between the carbon atoms and does not contain any rings. Methane fits this definition perfectly. It has no rings and all of its carbon atoms are bonded to hydrogen atoms through single bonds only.

The reference material provided states that methane is a saturated hydrocarbon. This is accurate. Saturated hydrocarbons are characterized by their lack of double or triple bonds, which are common in unsaturated hydrocarbons such as alkenes and alkynes. Methane, with its single bonds and no rings, is indeed a saturated hydrocarbon.

It's also important to note that the saturation of a hydrocarbon affects its properties and reactivity. Saturated hydrocarbons like methane are generally less reactive than their unsaturated counterparts. This is because the single bonds in saturated hydrocarbons are more stable and less prone to breaking, which is a necessary step for many chemical reactions.

In summary, methane (CH4) is a saturated hydrocarbon. It contains no double or triple bonds and has a carbon atom that is bonded to four hydrogen atoms through single bonds only. Its saturated nature contributes to its stability and relatively low reactivity compared to unsaturated hydrocarbons.

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The simplest organic molecule is methane, CH4, which contains one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. ... Methane is a saturated hydrocarbon. Saturated hydrocarbons are hydrocarbons that contain no rings and contain only single bonds between the different atoms.read more >>