Information AboutParaffin |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT PARAFFIN | |
| waxes | |
| alkanes | |
| petroleum products | |
| food additives | |
For other uses of the word, see Paraffin (disambiguation) Paraffin is a common name for a group of Alkane Hydrocarbon s with the general formula C''n''H2''n''+2, where ''n'' is the number of carbon atoms. The simplest paraffin molecule is that of Methane , CH4, a gas at room temperature. Heavier members the series, such as that of Octane C8H18, appear as liquids at room temperature. The solid forms of paraffin, called ''paraffin wax'', are from the heaviest molecules from C20 to C40. Paraffin wax was identified by Carl Reichenbach in 1830.''Britannica'' 1911 ''Paraffin'', or ''paraffin hydrocarbon'', is also the technical name for an alkane in general, but in most cases it refers specifically to a linear, or ''normal'' alkane — whereas branched, or ''iso''alkanes are also called ''iso''paraffins. It is distinct from the fuel known in Britain as ''paraffin oil'' or just ''paraffin'', which is called Kerosene in American English . Usage of the term varies in other countries, leading to confusion about which substance is being referred to. The name is derived from the Latin ''parum'' (= barely) + ''affinis'' with the meaning here of "lacking Affinity ", or "lacking Reactivity "). PARAFFIN WAX: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES It is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, Wax y solid, with a typical melting point between about 47 °C and 64 °C. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in Ether , Benzene , and certain Ester s. Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical Reagent s, but Burns readily. |
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