Explain why hydrocarbons are present in so many different compounds.

Hydrocarbons are organic molecules because they are composed of carbon atoms. Why can carbon form so many different types of compounds? The carbon atom is one of the few that will combine with itself. That means it can form long chains and rings onto which other atoms can be attached.

Many hydrocarbons are found in plants, animals, and their fossils; other hydrocarbons have been prepared in the laboratory. We use hydrocarbons every day, mainly as fuels, such as natural gas, acetylene, propane, butane, and the principal components of gasoline, diesel fuel, and heating oil.