Methane and ethane are simple organic molecules. These are alkane compounds. Both methane and ethane are colorless and odorless gaseous compounds at room temperature. Methane is a major greenhouse gas. Although ethane is also a greenhouse gas, it is less abundant in the atmosphere. There are many differences between chemical and physical properties of methane and ethane. The main difference between methane and ethane is that methane contains only one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogen atoms whereas ethane contains two carbon atoms bonded to each other and each carbon atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms.