Hydrocarbon

noun

/ˌhaɪdrəˈkɑːrbən/

An organic compound consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, occurring naturally in petroleum, natural gas, and coal.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

India's pledge to attain net-zero emissions by 2070 hinges on weaning its energy mix off imported hydrocarbons, for an economy that meets over four-fifths of its crude oil demand through imports remains acutely vulnerable to both price shocks and geopolitical coercion.

Synonyms

fossil fuelpetroleum compoundorganic compoundpetrochemicalcrude derivative

Antonyms

renewable energybiofuelclean fuelinorganic compound

🌱 Word Family

hydrocarbons (n pl), hydrocarbonaceous (adj), hydrocarbon-based (adj)

🔡 Root

Greek hydro- = water; -gen = producing; Latin carbō = charcoal; compound coined c. 1800

📜 Etymology

A compound of hydrogen (from Greek hydro-, water + -gen, producing) + carbon (from Latin carbō, charcoal); the term dates from 1800.

🧠 Memory Hook

Break it into HYDRO (hydrogen) + CARBON: a hydrocarbon is quite literally just those two elements bonded together, the raw stuff of petrol and coal.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2019 — Energy Technology
Prelims 2010 — Ecology

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Hydrocarbon” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

⚗️ General Science 📖 Seen in: Organic Chemistry, Polymers & Environm...

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