Compounds that mainly consist of the elements hydrogen and carbon are called hydrocarbons.

Here's a breakdown:

* Hydrocarbons are organic compounds that consist primarily of hydrogen and carbon atoms. They form the basis of many other organic compounds.

* Examples of hydrocarbons include methane (CH4), ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), and butane (C4H10). These are all alkanes, which are saturated hydrocarbons (meaning they have only single bonds between carbon atoms).

* Other types of hydrocarbons include alkenes (with double bonds between carbon atoms), alkynes (with triple bonds), and aromatic hydrocarbons (containing ring structures).

Let me know if you'd like to know more about any specific type of hydrocarbon!