What type of compounds are characterized by the absence of carbon?

Inorganic compounds are defined by their lack of carbon-hydrogen bonds, which distinguishes them from organic compounds that do contain carbon. Typically, inorganic compounds include minerals, metals, salts, and other substances that do not involve carbon as a fundamental element.

This classification is important in chemistry because it helps categorize the vast array of substances based on their composition and structure. For example, water (H2O) and sodium chloride (NaCl) are both inorganic compounds due to their absence of carbon.

Other classifications, such as organic compounds, biochemical compounds, and polyatomic compounds, involve carbon or specific arrangements of atoms that do not fit the definition of inorganic compounds. Organic compounds are based on carbon and typically contain hydrogen as well, while biochemical compounds refer to substances produced by living organisms and are also carbon-containing. Polyatomic compounds consist of molecules with more than one atom but can include either organic or inorganic characteristics depending on their composition. Thus, the term "inorganic compounds" accurately describes compounds characterized by the absence of carbon.