Which type of compound does NOT contain carbon?

The correct choice is that inorganic compounds do not contain carbon. Inorganic compounds are characterized by their lack of carbon-hydrogen bonds, distinguishing them from organic compounds, which are primarily based on carbon.

Organic compounds typically include structures with carbon, and they often contain hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, and other elements; examples include carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids. Carbon-based choices refer explicitly to compounds that are built around carbon structures. Hydrocarbons specifically consist of carbon and hydrogen, reinforcing the idea that they are organic in nature.

In contrast, inorganic compounds encompass a wide range of substances, including minerals, metals, and certain gases such as carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide, but they do not fall under the category of substances primarily built from carbon-hydrogen bonds. Therefore, acknowledging that inorganic compounds lack carbon is essential for distinguishing them from organic and carbon-based compounds.