Final answer:
The molecule with the molecular formula CH4 is methane, which is an alkane and a hydrophobic molecule, meaning it does not mix well with water. Thus, the correct description c for CH4 is hydrophobic.
Step-by-step explanation:
The molecule with the molecular formula CH4 is known as methane. Methane is a simple hydrocarbon and is categorized as an alkane because it contains only single bonds between its carbon and hydrogen atoms. It is neither amphipathic nor hydrophilic; rather, it is hydrophobic, which means it does not mix well with water. Unlike amphipathic molecules that have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties or hydrophilic molecules that interact well with water, hydrophobic molecules like methane are characterized by their non-polarity and lack of affinity for water.
Using the provided reference information, we can affirm that methane (CH4) is a clear example of a hydrophobic molecule due to its non-polar nature. While amphipathic molecules, such as phospholipids, have both hydrophilic (water-attracting) and hydrophobic (water-repelling) regions, methane lacks such polar functionalities, leading to its classification as a hydrophobic compound.
Therefore, the correct option that describes the molecule with the molecular formula CH4 is c) hydrophobic.