Question

ASSERTION : Paraffin wax is a white or colourless soft solid acid derivable from petroleum.
REASON : Paraffin are unsaturated hydrocarbons with straight or branched chains which contain only carbon and hydrogen.
A. both assertion and reason are correct and reason is the correct explanation for assertion.
B. both assertion and reason are correct and reason is not the correct explanation for assertion.
C. assertion is correct but reason is incorrect.
D. both assertion and reason are incorrect.

Answer 1

Paraffin wax is hydrocarbons. Petroleum also contains hydrocarbons. Paraffin wax contains alkanes only. Various substances of petroleum contain alkanes as well as unsaturated hydrocarbons. The chemical formula of paraffin wax${{\text{C}}_{\text{n}}}{{\text{H}}_{{\text{2n + 2}}}}$.

Complete step-by-step solution
Petroleum occurs naturally beneath the earth's surface. Petroleum is a fossil fuel that is made by the decomposition of organic matter. This process takes a million years. By using distillation various components are separated from the petroleum. Paraffin wax is a soft solid acid. The appearance of paraffin is white or colourless and it is separated from petroleum. So, the assertion, Paraffin wax is a white or colourless soft solid acid derivable from petroleum, is correct.

Paraffin is also obtained from coal and shell oil. Shell oil is the part of sedimentation rocks which contains liquid hydrocarbons in rich amounts. The chemical composition of petroleum is hydrocarbons with different molecular weights. The paraffin wax contains saturated hydrocarbons only. The formula is used for alkanes. The carbon number in hydrocarbons of paraffin varies from twenty to four atoms. So, the reason that paraffin is unsaturated hydrocarbons with straight or branched chains which contain only carbon and hydrogen, is incorrect. So, the assertion is correct but the reason is not correct.

Therefore, option (C) assertion is correct but the reason is incorrect, is correct.

Note: Kerosene is also known as paraffin but it is somewhat different from paraffin. Kerosene is a liquid hydrocarbon used for the combustion process. Paraffin wax is used for the making of crayons and candles. Due to softness paraffin is used in lubrication. Paraffin is used for wax paper or wax cotton, and coating of candies.