Which of the following statements describes hydrocarbons?

Hydrocarbons are defined as organic compounds that consist exclusively of carbon and hydrogen atoms. This characteristic of containing only these two elements is fundamental to the structure of hydrocarbons, which can take various forms, such as alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Each of these forms is determined by the arrangement and type of bonds between the carbon atoms (single, double, or triple bonds), but all maintain the composition of carbon and hydrogen.

While hydrocarbons can indeed have multiple types of bonds, this information is more specific about their chemical bonding rather than defining what hydrocarbons are. Additionally, while hydrocarbons can be found in natural gas, they are not limited to this source; they are also present in petroleum, coal, and many synthetic materials. The statement focusing solely on the composition of hydrocarbons being just carbon and hydrogen accurately captures their essential nature.