What constitutes a hydrocarbon?

A hydrocarbon is defined as a compound that consists solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. This definition captures the essence of hydrocarbons, which serve as the fundamental building blocks for many organic chemicals. They can be categorized into various types, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes, depending on the types of bonds between the carbon atoms. These compounds can be found in many forms, such as gases (like methane), liquids (like gasoline), or solids (like paraffin wax). The focus on just hydrogen and carbon is essential for understanding their structure and reactivity in organic chemistry.