Question

What are hydrocarbons?

Answer 1

Hydrocarbons are all Carbon ($C$) compounds that have both Carbon ($C$) and Hydrogen ($H_2$). These compounds are divided into alkanes, alkenes and alkynes.

Hydrocarbons:

1. Aliphatic or open chain compounds
   1. Saturated alkanes (paraffins $C_n{H}_{2n+2}$)
   2. Unsaturated
      1. Alkenes (Olefins) ($C_n{H}_{2n}$)
      2. Alkynes ($C_n{H}_{2n-2}$)
2. Cyclic or closed chain compounds ( Eg: Cyclopropane ($C_3{H}_6$))