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They all consist of carbon backbone and atoms of hydrogen attached to that backbone, also aliphatic hydrocarbons.

For example, methane ( swamp gas) is a hydrocarbon with one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms: CH₄, ethane is a hydrocarbon (more specifically, an alkane) consisting of two carbon atoms held together with a single bond, each with three hydrogen atoms bonded C₂H₆, propane has three C atoms (C₃H₈) and so on (C_nH_2·n+2).

There are basically three types of hydrocarbons:

• aromatic hydrocarbons, which have at least one aromatic ring in addition to whatever bonds they have
• saturated hydrocarbons (Also known as alkanes), which don't have double, triple or aromatic bonds
• unsaturated hydrocarbons, which have one or more double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. Unsaturated hydrocarbons are divided into:
  • alkenes
  • alkynes
  • dienes

The number of hydrogen atoms in Hydrocarbons can be determined, if the number of carbon atoms is known, by using these equations:

• • Alkanes: C_nH_2n+2
  • Alkenes: C_nH_2n
  • Alkynes: C_nH_2n-2

Liquid geologically-extracted hydrocarbons are referred to as petroleum (literally "rock oil") or mineral oil, while gaseous geologic hydrocarbons are referred to as natural gas. All are significant sources of fuelFuel is material with potential energy which can be transferred into kinetic energy, or as heat or mechanical work. In most cases this is just something that will burn. There are many different types of fuel. Solid fuels include coal, wood and peat. All t and raw materials as a feedstock for the production of organic chemicalsOrganic chemistry is the scientific study of the structure, properties, composition, reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds. Organic nomenclature Organic nomenclature is the system established for naming and grouping organic compounds. Aliphatic co and are commonly found in the subsurface using the tools of petroleum geologyPetroleum geology is a term used to refer to the specific set of geological disciplines that are applied to the search for hydrocarbons ( oil exploration). It is principally concerned with the evaluation of seven key elements in sedimentary basins: Source.

Hydrocarbons are of prime economic importance because they encompass the constituents of the major fossil fuelFossil fuels are coal and hydrocarbon fuels or hydrocarbon containing fuels such as petroleum (including natural gas). The utilization of fossil fuels has fueled industrial development and largely supplanted water driven mills and wood or peat burning fors ( coalCoal is a fossil fuel extracted from the ground by mining. It is a readily combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock. It is composed primarily of carbon and hydrocarbons, along with assorted other elements, including sulfur. Often associated wi, petroleum, natural gas, etc.) and biofuels, as well as plastics, waxes, and oils. In urban pollution, these components--along with NOx and sunlight--all contribute to the formation of tropospheric ozone.