Answer
While a hydrocarbon may consist only of two elements (carbon and hydrogen), the carbon atoms can bond with one another to form chains of varying lengths and branching arrangements. Factoring in the possibility of rings and multiple bonds between carbon atoms, carbon's extensive and flexible bonding capabilities gives us an enormous number of possible combinations of hydrocarbons.
Work Step by Step
Consider all the possible hydrocarbons with just five carbon atoms as shown in the image.
