The most common form of hydrocarbon is alkane, specifically methane (CH₄). Alkanes are saturated hydrocarbons characterized by single bonds between carbon atoms. They are primarily found in natural gas and petroleum and serve as a key source of energy. In addition to being used as fuels, alkanes can be transformed through various chemical processes into more complex hydrocarbons and useful chemical products. Understanding their structure and reactivity is essential in fields like organic chemistry and energy production.