Hydrocarbons in Petroleum

Hydrocarbons are organic chemical compounds consisting of exclusively hydrogen and carbon atoms. Hydrocarbons are the primary components of petroleum and are used as a major source of energy. Petroleum is a natural resource used to manufacture a wide range of products such as fuels, plastics, medicines, and chemical fertilizers. Without hydrocarbons found in petroleum, these products would not be available. In addition, the combustion of hydrocarbons from petroleum is a major factor in global climate change.