paraffin wax

     

In chemistry, paraffin is the common name for the alkane hyrocarbons with the general formula CnH2n+2. Paraffin wax refers to the solids with n=20–40.

Trivia about paraffin wax

  • In the mid-19th century, candles were often made with this wax crystallized from petroleum
  • (Sarah of the Clue Crew stands with a melting vat at the Crayola Museum & Factory in Easton, PA.) Edwin Binney's wife Alice coined the name "Crayola" by combining "cray", French for chalk, and "ola", short for oily, because Crayolas are made from this