Introduction to Hydrocarbons: Hydrocarbons are organic compounds composed only of carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) atoms. They form the basic framework for many organic molecules. There are two main types of hydrocarbons: 1. Aliphatic hydrocarbons - These include alkanes (single bonds, saturated), alkenes (double bonds, unsaturated), and alkynes (triple bonds, unsaturated). 2. Aromatic hydrocarbons - These contain benzene rings, characterized by alternating double and single bonds. Hydrocarbons are key components of fuels (like gasoline) and form the basis for many chemicals in industrial and biological processes.