What are hydrocarbons composed of?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that consist exclusively of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms. The name "hydrocarbon" itself reflects this composition, as it derives from "hydro," indicating hydrogen, and "carbon," referring to carbon.

These compounds can vary significantly in structure, ranging from simple molecules like methane (CH4), which is the simplest hydrocarbon with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms, to complex structures such as long chains or rings found in larger organic molecules. The unique bonding characteristics of carbon allow for a nearly limitless variety of hydrocarbons, which serve as fundamental building blocks in organic chemistry, including fuels, lipids, and many other biological molecules.

Understanding the composition of hydrocarbons is essential in fields such as biochemistry and environmental science, as their properties and reactions play a critical role in biological systems and energy production.