What is a chemical compound known as paraffin?

Answer 1

Paraffin is a hydrocarbon, but the term applies to a "group" of molecules and not a specific one. The general formula applied to these alkanes is CnH2n+2, and the "series" of compounds begins with methane, CH4. In that example, there is a single carbon atom, and the number of hydrogens with it, according to the formula, is (2 x 1) + 2, or 4. After methane, we see ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8) and onward, with all molecules following the "rule" suggested with the CnH2n+2 expression. If the inquiry is one regarding paraffin wax, this is not a single molecule, either. It is any one or a combination of the paraffin molecules with n between 20 and 40. That means the molecules with have a molecular formula including C20H42 and C40H82, and also those that are "between" these two. C21H44, C22H46, and the rest will appear on your list, if you're making one. In case you didn't snap to it, as we begin to examine this group of compounds we'll find substances that are a gas at room temperature. On up the chain we'll encounter some that are liquids at ordinary temperatures. Then the larger, heavier molecules we find even further up will be solids at room temperature. A link can be found below to check facts and gather more information.

Answer 2

Parrafin is a type of wax. People use this word to describe wax paper. Wax paper is used for cooking or baking things. A good example would be Chocolate Chip Cookies. Parrafin is the common name for alkane hydrocarbons. It is an alternative name for kerosene as well.

Answer 3

common name of paraffin oil?