Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They serve as the basis for fossil fuels and many industrial chemicals.
Related terms
Alkanes: These are saturated hydrocarbons with single bonds only. Like stacking wooden blocks directly on top of each other without any gaps.
Alkenes: These are unsaturated hydrocarbons containing at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Imagine if two sides of your wooden block were glued together - this is akin to a double bond.
Aromatic Hydrocarbons: These are hydrocarbons containing ring structures with alternating single and double bonds. Picture arranging your wooden blocks in a circle or ring pattern.