Discover paraffin ’s formula, properties, and uses in chemistry. Master the concept with stepwise guidance from Vedantu experts. paraffin wax, colourless or white, somewhat translucent, hard wax consisting of a mixture of solid straight-chain hydrocarbons ranging in melting point from about 48° to 66° C (120° to 150° F). Paraffin wax is obtained from petroleum by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks. It is used in candles, wax paper, polishes, cosmetics, and electrical insulators. It assists in extracting perfumes from flowers, forms a base for medical ointments, and supplies a waterproof coating for wood. In ... Paraffin wax, a white or colorless soft solid (also in liquid form) that is used as a lubricant and for other applications Liquid paraffin (drug), a very highly refined mineral oil used in cosmetics and for medical purposes Alkane, a saturated hydrocarbon Kerosene, a fuel that is also known as paraffin Mineral oil, any of various colorless, odorless, light mixtures of alkanes in the C15 to C40 range from a non-vegetable (mineral) source, particularly a distillate of petroleum Petroleum jelly ... What is Paraffin ? Paraffin is a group of hydrocarbons typically derived from crude oil distillation. These hydrocarbons are saturated alkanes with the general formula CnH2n+2. Paraffin is notable for its stability, non-reactivity, and a wide range of melting points, making it suitable for various applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial processes.