Paraffin is a common name for a group of alkane hydrocarbons with the general formula C_nH_2n+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 of 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.^[1] The word Paraffin can cause confusion because it has different meanings in different countries and disciplines. ... Chemical structure of methane, the simplest alkane Alkanes, also known as Paraffins, are chemical compounds that consist only of the elements carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) (i. ... Oil refineries are key to obtaining hydrocarbons; crude oil is processed through several stages to form desirable hydrocarbons, used in fuel and other commercial products. ... Methane is a chemical compound with the molecular formula . ... For other uses, see Octane (disambiguation). ... Carl Ludwig von Reichenbach Baron Dr. Carl (Karl) Ludwig von Reichenbach (full name: Baron Karl Ludwig Freiherr von Reichenbach) (February 12, 1788 - January 19, 1869) was a recognized chemist, metallurgist, naturalist and philosopher, a member of the prestigious Prussian Academy of Sciences. ...

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 isoalkanes are also called isoparaffins. It is distinct from the fuel known in Britain and South Africa as paraffin oil or just paraffin, which is called kerosene in much of the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Kerosene or kerosine, also called paraffin oil or paraffin in British usage (not to be confused with the waxy solid also called paraffin wax or just paraffin) is a flammable hydrocarbon liquid. ...

The name is derived from the Latin parum (= barely) + affinis with the meaning here of "lacking affinity", or "lacking reactivity". The electron affinity, Eea, of an atom or molecule is the energy required to detach an electron from a singly charged negative ion, i. ... Reactivity refers to the rate at which a chemical substance tends to undergo a chemical reaction in time. ...

Wax

Paraffin wax is mostly found as a white, odorless, tasteless, waxy solid, with a typical melting point between about 47 °C to 64 °C, and having a density of around 0.93 g/cm³. It is insoluble in water, but soluble in ether, benzene, and certain esters. Paraffin is unaffected by most common chemical reagents, but burns readily. candle wax This page is about the substance. ... This article is about the chemical compound. ... For benzine, see petroleum ether. ... For other uses, see Ester (disambiguation). ... A reagent is a material used to start a {[chemical reaction]}. For example hydrochloric acid is the chemical reagent that would cause calcium carbonate to release carbon dioxide. ... This article is about the chemical reaction combustion. ...

Pure paraffin wax is an extremely good electrical insulator, with an electrical resistivity of between 10¹³ and 10¹⁷ ohm metre.^[2] This is better than nearly all other materials except some plastics (notably teflon). It is an effective neutron moderator and was used in James Chadwick's 1932 experiments to identify the neutron.^[3][4] This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Electrical resistivity (also known as specific electrical resistance) is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. ... Electrical resistivity (also known as specific electrical resistance) is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electric current. ... In chemistry, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer which finds numerous applications. ... This does not cite any references or sources. ... Sir James Chadwick, CH (20 October 1891 – 24 July 1974) was an English physicist and Nobel laureate who is best known for discovering the neutron. ...

Paraffin wax (C₂₅H₅₂) is an excellent material to store heat, having a specific heat capacity of 2.14–2.9 J g^–1 K^–1 and a heat of fusion of 200–220 J/g.^[5] This property is exploited in modified sheetrock for home building material: it is infused in the sheetrock during manufacture so as, when installed, it melts during the day, absorbing heat, and solidifies again at night, releasing the heat. Wax expands considerably when it melts and this allows its use in thermostats for industrial, domestic and, particularly, automobile purposes.^[6] Specific heat capacity, also known simply as specific heat, is the measure of the heat energy required to increase the temperature of a unit quantity of a substance by a certain temperature interval. ... Standard enthalpy change of fusion of period three. ... For the musical group Drywall, see Drywall (musical project) Example of drywall with joint compound, the common interior building material. ... Bi-metallic thermostat for buildings A thermostat is a device for regulating the temperature of a system so that the systems temperature is maintained near a desired setpoint temperature. ...

For casting of metal and other materials, "investment casting waxes" are used, in which the paraffin wax is combined with several other materials to obtain the desired properties. Paraffin wax is not much used to make original models for casting, as it is relatively brittle at room temperature and usually cannot be cold-carved without excessive chipping and breaking. Soft, pliable waxes such as beeswax are preferred for these purposes. This article is about the manufacturing process. ... For the rock song by Nirvana, see Beeswax (song). ...

In industrial applications, it is often useful to modify the crystal properties of the paraffin wax, typically by adding branching to the existing carbon backbone chain. The modification is usually done with additives, such as EVA copolymers, microcrystalline wax, or forms of polyethylene. The branched properties result in a modified paraffin with a higher viscosity, smaller crystalline structure, and modified functional properties. Ethylene-vinyl acetate (also known as EVA or sometimes simply as acetate) is the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. ... Microcrystalline waxes are a type of wax produced by de-oiling petrolatum, as part of the petroleum refining process. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Liquid paraffin

Liquid paraffin, a mixture of heavier alkanes, has a number of names, including nujol, adepsine oil, alboline, glymol, medicinal paraffin, saxol, or USP mineral oil. It is often used in infrared spectroscopy, as it has a relatively uncomplicated IR spectrum. When the sample to be tested is made into a mull (a very thick solution), liquid paraffin is added so it can be spread on the disks to be tested. Liquid paraffin (medicinal) is used to aid bowel movement in persons suffering chronic constipation; it passes through the alimentary canal without itself being taken into the body, but it limits the amount of water removed from the stool. In the food industry, where it may be called "wax", it can be used as a lubricant in mechanical mixing, applied to baking tins to ensure that loaves are easily released when cooked and as a coating for fruit or other items requiring a "shiny" appearance for sale.^[7] Mineral oil or liquid petrolatum is a by-product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline. ... Infrared spectroscopy (IR spectroscopy) is the subset of spectroscopy that deals with the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. ... Legend: γ = Gamma rays HX = Hard X-rays SX = Soft X-Rays EUV = Extreme ultraviolet NUV = Near ultraviolet Visible light NIR = Near infrared MIR = Moderate infrared FIR = Far infrared Radio waves: EHF = Extremely high frequency (Microwaves) SHF = Super high frequency (Microwaves) UHF = Ultrahigh frequency VHF = Very high frequency HF = High frequency... Mull could refer to: Look up Mull in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... Medicinal Liquid Paraffin is a very highly refined mineral white oil used in cosmetics and for medical purposes. ... For the Physics term GUT, please refer to Grand unification theory The gastrointestinal or digestive tract, also referred to as the GI tract or the alimentary canal or the gut, is the system of organs within multicellular animals which takes in food, digests it to extract energy and nutrients, and... Human feces (also faeces — see spelling differences), also known as stools, vary significantly in appearance, depending on the state of the whole digestive system, influenced by diet and health. ...

Uses

Gaseous

• Fuels

Liquids

• Fuels
• Medicine (Laxative)
• Culinary
• Fire breathing

Laxatives (or purgatives are foods, compounds, or drugs taken to induce bowel movements, most often taken to treat constipation. ... Fire breathing is the act of creating a large flame by spraying, with ones breath, a flammable liquid upon an open flame. ...

Paraffin wax

• Candle-making
• Coatings for waxed paper or cloth
• Food-grade paraffin wax:
  • Shiny coating used in candy-making; although edible, it is nondigestible, passing right through the body without being broken down
  • Magic Shell
  • Coating for many kinds of hard cheese, like Edam cheese.
  • Sealant for jars, cans, and bottles
  • Chewing gum additive
• Investment casting
• Anti-caking agent, moisture repellent, and dustbinding coatings for fertilizers
• Agent for preparation of specimens for histology
• Solid propellant for hybrid rocket motors
• Emollient (moisturiser), in dermatology
• Component of surfwax, used for grip on surfboards in surfing
• Component of glide wax, used on skis and snowboards.
• Friction-reducer, for use on handrails and cement ledges, commonly used in skateboarding
• Microwax[1]: food additive, a glazing agent with E number E905
• Forensics aid: the paraffin test is used in forensics to detect nitrates and nitrites on the hand of a shooting suspect
• Anti-ozonant agent: blends of paraffin and micro waxes are used in rubber compounds to prevent cracking of the rubber; the antiozonant waxes can be produced from synthetic waxes, FT wax, and Fischer Tropsch wax
• Mechanical thermostats and actuators, as an expansion medium for activating such devices.^[8]
• "Potting" guitar pickups, which reduce microphonic feedback caused from the subtle movements of the pole pieces
• Wax baths for beauty and therapy purposes
• Thickening agent in many Paintballs, as used by Crayola

For other uses, see Candle (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Candy (disambiguation). ... Magic Shell is an American dessert product produced by Smuckers. ... Cheese is a solid food made from the milk of cows, goats, sheep, and other mammals. ... Edam is a Dutch cheese that is traditionally sold as spheres with pale yellow interior and a coat of red or yellow paraffin. ... The lost wax process is a method that requires the metallurgist to build a wax replica of the item that is desired to be replicated, followed by the coating of the wax sculpted article in a heat resistant yet durable exterior, typically a ceramic, which is then fired to permit... Fertilizers are chemicals given to plants with the intention of promoting growth; they are usually applied either via the soil or by foliar spraying. ... A thin section of lung tissue stained with hematoxylin and eosin. ... A hybrid rocket propulsion system comprises propellants of two different states of matter, the most common configuration being a rocket engine composed of a solid propellant lining a combustion chamber into which a liquid or gaseous propellant is injected so as to undergo a strong exothermic reaction to produce hot... Emollients soften skin (and moisturisers add moisture). ... Dermatology (from Greek δερμα, skin) is a branch of medicine dealing with the skin and its appendages (hair, sweat glands, etc). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... For other uses, see Surfing (disambiguation). ... Ski wax is a material applied to the bottom of skis or snowboards to help them perform better on snow. ... A shaped, twin-tip alpine ski. ... A snowboard with strap-in bindings A snowboard is a board ridden in snowboarding to descend a snow-covered slope. ... A skateboarder performing a frontside lipslide Skateboarding is the act of rolling on or performing tricks with a skateboard. ... Food additives are substances added to food to preserve flavor or improve its taste and appearance. ... Glazing agents, or polishing agents, are food additives providing shiny appeareance or protective coating to foods. ... For the mathematical constant see: E (mathematical constant). ... Gunshot residue is expelled as tiny particles from the barrel of a firearm when it is fired. ... Agents of the United States Army Criminal Investigation Division investigate a crime scene Forensic science (often shortened to forensics) is the application of a broad spectrum of sciences to answer questions of interest to the legal system. ... For beauty as a characteristic of a persons appearance, see Physical attractiveness. ...

References

1. ^ Britannica 1911
2. ^ Electrical insulating materials. Kaye and Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants. National Physical Laboratory (1995). Retrieved on 2007-04-23.
3. ^ Attenuation of fast neutrons: neutron moderation and diffusion. Kaye and Laby Tables of Physical and Chemical Constants. National Physical Laboratory (1995). Retrieved on 2007-04-23.
4. ^ Rhodes, Richard (1986). The Making of the Atomic Bomb. New York: Simon and Schuster, p 163. ISBN 0-671-44133-7. 
5. ^ Specific Heat Capacity. Diracdelta.co.uk Science and Engineering Encyclopedia. Dirac Delta Consultants Ltd, Warwick, England. Retrieved on 2007-08-18.
6. ^ Wax-pellet thermostat United States Patent 4948043
7. ^ Mineral Oil (Food Grade). WHO Food Additives Series 10. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations; World Health Organization (1976). Retrieved on 2007-08-21.
8. ^ Bodén, Roger. Paraffin Microactuator. Materials Science Sensors and Actuators. University of Uppsala. Retrieved on 2007-04-23.

Thomas Howell Laby, FRS, (3 May 1880 – 21 June 1946) was an Australian physicist and chemist, Professor of Natural Philosophy, University of Melbourne 1915–1942. ... The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the national measurement standards laboratory for the United Kingdom, based at Bushy Park in Teddington in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is the national measurement standards laboratory for the United Kingdom, based at Bushy Park in Teddington in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Richard Rhodes (born July 4, 1937) is an American author of fiction and verity, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Making of the Atomic Bomb in 1986, and most recently, John James Audubon: the Making of an American in 2004. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 230th day of the year (231st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 233rd day of the year (234th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the AD/CE era in the 21st century. ... is the 113th day of the year (114th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Alkane
• Paraffin oil
• Mineral oil
• Microcrystalline wax