It must be a carbon derivative. It burns. It doesn't smell.
2006-07-07 23:04:45 · 5 answers · asked by Anup M 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Candles are usually manufactured from Paraffin - which is the common name for a group of high molecular weight Alkane Hydrocarbons, with the general formula CnH2n+2.
In the past, candles used to be made from Bees' Wax - which varies in its composition with each geographical region !
2006-07-07 23:16:00 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
OK ...
We'll assume you are only refering to paraffin wax which, as someone else has already stated, is a byproduct of petroleum refining.
The "cheap" waxes - which are the ones that most candles are based on - are standard, linear paraffins rather than microcrystalline waxes. Ok, so this gives them the general formula of CnH(2n+2).
They usually have a melting point between 56 - 60C. So, linear paraffins with this melting point are typically in the C40 - C50 range. Therefore, your "formula" for candle wax is :
In the range C40H82 to C50H102.
2006-07-09 04:35:33 · answer #2 · answered by Bruce H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the bottom remains of petroleum distillation. It has high mol wt carbon groups and are high boiling. There is nothing like exact chemical formula for wax.
2006-07-08 06:11:02 · answer #3 · answered by sures 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good candles are still made from bee's wax. Bee's wax is actually a mixture of esters of high weight alcohols and fatty acids
2006-07-08 07:18:04 · answer #4 · answered by glockchem 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is made of carbon, along with other elements, and it is also a network covalent substance, like glass or diamonds, just softer, which means that it really doesn't have discrete molecules to derive a chemical formula.
2006-07-08 09:24:50 · answer #5 · answered by The Frontrunner 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋