Final answer:
The organic molecule among the options provided is D) CH₄, known as methane. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is which of the following would be regarded as an organic molecule: H₂O, NaCl, NaOH, or CH₄. An organic molecule is typically defined as a compound that contains carbon atoms bonded to hydrogen and possibly other elements like nitrogen, oxygen, sulfur, etc., in a structure. Of the options given, D) CH₄, also known as methane, is the only organic compound. Methane consists mostly of carbon and hydrogen atoms and is the simplest hydrocarbon.
To elaborate: H₂O (water) is an inorganic molecule because it lacks carbon; NaCl (sodium chloride) is an inorganic salt; NaOH (sodium hydroxide) is also an inorganic compound because it contains sodium ions and hydroxide ions but no carbon-hydrogen bonds. Only methane, CH₄, fits the criteria for an organic molecule as it consists only of carbon and hydrogen atoms in its structure.