These include a group of organic [1] molecules called hydrocarbons that contain only hydrogen and carbon atoms. Examples of the simplest hydrocarbons are shown in Figure 1.1.

Figure 1.1: Simple hydrocarbon molecules.

More and more carbon atoms can be added to create large molecules. Such molecules can be found in petrol, kerosene, wax and other oils and plastics. Hydrocarbons need not be straight chain molecules (as those depicted in Figure 1.1) they can also be based on hexagon shapes (see Appendix A4 and Appendix A5).

Non-polar molecules have no permanent overall or localised electrical charges on them.

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1.1.1. Non-polar Molecules