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What are hydrocarbons?
A hydrocarbon is a molecule that consists primarily of hydrogen and carbon. Other atoms may be present in place of the hydrogen atoms in some places. Examples of hydrocarbo…ns include Methane (CH4), toluene. A hydrocarbon contains only hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms. There are a large number of hydrocarbons, but the simplest is CH4 (methane). One important thing about hydrocarbons is that they are all flammable. When combined with oxygen (combustion), a hydrocarbon ALWAYS produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The ideal reaction only occurs when hydrocarbons are burned in an ample supply of oxygen and at a sufficiently high temperature. With too little oxygen, carbon monoxide is also produced. This is a deadly poison, and many people have been killed by it just because the chimney of their stove became obstructed. At too low a temperature, one of the combustion products is carbon soot; e.g. from a paraffin wax candle. When burned in air rather than pure oxygen, oxides of nitrogen may also be produced; these are what is found in "smog". An organic molecule made of nothing more than hydrogen and carbon atoms. A hydrocarbon contains only hydrogen atoms and carbon atoms. There are a large number of hydrocarbons, but the simplest is CH4 (methane). One important thing about hydrocarbons is that they are all flammable. When combined with oxygen (combustion), a hydrocarbon ALWAYS produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O). The ideal reaction only occurs when hydrocarbons are burned in an ample supply of oxygen and at a sufficiently high temperature. With too little oxygen, carbon monoxide is also produced. This is a deadly poison, and many people have been killed by it just because the chimney of their stove became obstructed. At too low a temperature, one of the combustion products is carbon soot; e.g. from a paraffin wax candle. When burned in air rather than pure oxygen, oxides of nitrogen may also be produced; these are what is found in "smog". An organic molecule made of nothing more than hydrogen and carbon atoms. (MORE)
