This document discusses aliphatic hydrocarbons, specifically alkanes. It begins by introducing hydrocarbons and classifying them as either aliphatic or aromatic. Alkanes, also known as paraffins, are saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons that have the general formula CnH2n+2. The simplest alkane is methane, and higher alkanes like ethane, propane, and butane make up homologous series where the molecular formula differs by CH2. Alkanes can exhibit isomerism where compounds have the same molecular formula but different structural arrangements and properties.