Question

Which one of the following is used for making shoe polish?
A) Paraffin wax
B) Petrol
C) Diesel
D) Lubricating oil

Answer 1

Hint: Shoe polish is made from the following ingredients- lanolin, naphtha, turpentine, paraffin wax, gum Arabic and ethylene glycol. Hence, paraffin wax is used for making shoe polish as it is solid and soft wax.

Step-by-Step Explanation: The shoe polish is made from following ingredients - lanolin, naphtha, turpentine, paraffin wax, gum Arabic and ethylene glycol. Paraffin wax is a white or colorless wax. It is solid but soft. It is used as a protective coating which provides a barrier to shoe from any scratches, water and scuffs. As it is insoluble in water and it hardens after application while retaining the gloss. Due to this property of paraffin wax, it is used in shoe polish. Hence the answer is ‘A’

Additional Information: Paraffin wax is made from saturated hydrocarbons. It is used in following ways-
1. Cosmetic-In skin softening salon and spa treatments as it adds moisture to the skin by opening pores and it is used to relieve pain in sore joints and muscles. It decreases joint stiffness and increases blood flow. It also minimizes inflammation. Hence it is used in health therapy.
2. Health-It acts as a form of heat therapy so waxing light lubricating oil stocks (gasoline) which is extracted from petroleum. Paraffin wax is a mixture of hydrocarbons containing twenty to forty carbon atoms. It is colorless, tasteless and odorless. Paraffin is also used as lubrication, electrical insulation. It is used to make candles and crayons.

Note: Petrol, diesel, paraffin wax and lubricating oil are extracted from petroleum by distillation process. Paraffin wax is obtained by dewaxing light lubricating oil stocks (gasoline) which is extracted from petroleum. Paraffin wax is a mixture of hydrocarbons containing twenty to forty carbon atoms. It is colorless, tasteless and odorless. Paraffin is also used as lubrication, electrical insulation. It is used to make candles and crayons.