What is a common characteristic of both natural gas and propane?

Natural gas and propane share the characteristic of being both colorless and odorless in their natural state. However, to ensure safety in usage, both gases are typically treated with an odorant, such as mercaptan, which gives them a distinct smell that alerts users to leaks.

Being non-toxic is also an important aspect; neither natural gas nor propane is harmful at typical levels of exposure when used correctly. Understanding these properties is essential for safety and for effective use in various applications, from heating to cooking. The addition of an odorant is crucial because it transforms them from being colorless and odorless to detectable, helping to prevent dangerous situations.

While both gases are indeed highly flammable, this attribute alone does not encompass the complete profile regarding their common characteristics. The fact that they contain sulfur compounds can vary and is not a defining feature applicable to both gases universally. Therefore, the accurate identification of their common characteristics as colorless, odorless, and non-toxic is key in this context.