Which of the following is a type of hydrocarbon?

Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that consist solely of hydrogen and carbon atoms. Among the choices given, alkanes are a specific category of hydrocarbons characterized by their saturated structure, meaning they contain only single bonds between carbon atoms and have the general formula CnH2n+2.

Alkanes include simple molecules such as methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), and propane (C3H8). Their structure leads to a variety of properties and reactivity patterns that are unique to saturated hydrocarbons.

In contrast, alcohols, aldehydes, and carboxylic acids all contain additional functional groups that include elements other than carbon and hydrogen, such as oxygen. This disqualifies them from being classified as hydrocarbons. For example, alcohols contain an -OH (hydroxyl) group, aldehydes have a carbonyl group with a hydrogen atom (–CHO), and carboxylic acids feature a -COOH group. Each of these compounds has distinct chemical properties and behaviors as a result of these functional groups. Therefore, alkanes are correctly identified as the only type of hydrocarbon among the provided choices.