Hydrocarbon Molecule
Contains only carbon and hydrogen. Can be divided into aliphatic and aromatic classes.
A hydrocarbon molecule is a molecule composed of only hydrogen and carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons are the basis of organic chemistry, which is concerned with the study of substances containing carbon atoms.
The simplest hydrocarbon is methane, which has one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4). Other examples of hydrocarbons are ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), pentane (C5H12), hexane (C6H14), and so on.
Hydrocarbons can be broken down into two categories: aliphatic hydrocarbons and aromatic hydrocarbons. Aliphatic hydrocarbons are straight or branched chain compounds, while aromatic hydrocarbons contain a cyclic ring of carbon atoms.
Hydrocarbons can have various applications, such as fuels for transportation, heating, and electricity generation, as well as materials for the chemical industry, plastics, and synthetic materials. However, some hydrocarbons, such as certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), can be harmful to human health and the environment.
More Answers:
The Importance and Applications of Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Industry and Daily LifeExploring the Types and Industrial Applications of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
Substituted Hydrocarbons: Types, Substitution Reactions, and Implications for Industry and the Environment