What are hydrocarbons? Distinguish alkanes from alkenes and each of them from alkynes, giving one example of each. Draw the structure of each compound cited as an example to justify your answer.

Hydrocarbons are compounds which contain carbon and hydrogen only. All alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes are examples of hydrocarbons.



As you can see ethane contains single bonds between C and H.


Ethene (alkene) contains one C=C bond (double bond).


Ethyne (alkyne) contains one C≡C bond (triple bond).


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