---
title: "Hydrocarbon — AP Chem Definition & Combustion Guide"
description: "A hydrocarbon is a compound made of only carbon and hydrogen. In AP Chem, hydrocarbons star in combustion stoichiometry problems for finding empirical formulas."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-chem/key-terms/hydrocarbon"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Chemistry"
---

# Hydrocarbon — AP Chem Definition & Combustion Guide

## Definition

A hydrocarbon is a compound composed of hydrogen and carbon atoms. It is commonly found in fossil fuels like gasoline, natural gas, and petroleum.

## Review

### Related Terms

- Alkane: Alkanes are a type of hydrocarbon that only contain single bonds between their carbon atoms. They have the general formula CnH2n+2.
- Alkene: Alkenes are another type of hydrocarbon that contain at least one double bond between their carbon atoms. They have the general formula CnH2n.
- Alkyne: Alkynes are yet another type of hydrocarbon that contain at least one triple bond between their carbon atoms. They have the general formula CnH2n-2.