A hydrocarbon is a

Options

A. carbon found in nature in the free state
B. compound of carbon and hydrogen
C. compound found in the form of sulphate
D. carbon found in nature in the form of carbonates.

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Hydrocarbons:**
- A hydrocarbon is a type of organic compound that consists exclusively of hydrogen and carbon atoms.

2. **Types of Hydrocarbons:**
- Hydrocarbons can be classified into three main categories:
- **Alkanes:** These have single bonds between carbon atoms (e.g., ethane, C2H6).
- **Alkenes:** These contain at least one double bond between carbon atoms (e.g., ethene, C2H4).
- **Alkynes:** These contain at least one triple bond between carbon atoms (e.g., ethyne, C2H2).

3. **Analyzing the Options:**
- **Option A:** "Carbon found in nature in the free state." This is incorrect because hydrocarbons are not just carbon; they must also include hydrogen.
- **Option B:** "Compound of carbon and hydrogen." This is correct as it accurately defines hydrocarbons.
- **Option C:** "Compound found in the form of sulphate." This is incorrect as sulphates do not contain only carbon and hydrogen.
- **Option D:** "Carbon found in nature in the form of carbonate." This is also incorrect since carbonates contain oxygen and do not represent hydrocarbons.

4. **Conclusion:**
- The correct answer is **Option B: Compound of carbon and hydrogen**.