WSO Water Treatment Grade 1 Practice Test 2026 – Complete Prep Guide

The substances that are characterized by lacking carbon and include acids, bases, and salts are known as inorganic compounds. Inorganic compounds typically comprise a wide range of substances, which can include minerals and elements that do not follow the traditional carbon-based framework of organic compounds. Acids, such as sulfuric acid, bases like sodium hydroxide, and salts such as sodium chloride are all examples of inorganic compounds.

In contrast, organic compounds are primarily composed of carbon atoms and are usually associated with living organisms or products derived from them. Saturated compounds refer specifically to organic compounds that contain only single bonds between carbon atoms, while hydrocarbons are a specific type of organic compound that exclusively contain carbon and hydrogen.

Understanding the distinction is fundamental in chemistry, as it influences how these compounds behave and interact with one another in various chemical processes.