Wax facts for kids

Wax is an organic chemical substance. It is a type of lipid. Waxes have the following properties:

• They are soft, and easy to shape at room temperature
• Their melting point is above 45 °C
• They cannot be dissolved in water
• They are hydrophobic, repelling and repelled by water.

Some waxes, like beeswax, vegetable wax, and paraffin (a petroleum wax) occur naturally. Another such wax is earwax, which occurs in the ear. Other waxes may be manufactured. People use waxes for various purposes:

• Waxed paper
• Wax tablet
• Waxing

Images for kids

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  Ceroline brand wax for floors and furniture, first half of 20th century. From the Museo del Objeto del Objeto collection

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  Wax candle.

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  A lava lamp is a novelty item that contains wax melted from below by a bulb. The wax rises and falls in decorative, molten blobs.