Wax

Waxes are a diverse class of organic compounds that are lipophilic, malleable solids near ambient temperatures. They include higher alkanes and lipids, typically with melting points above about 40 °C (104 °F), melting to give low viscosity liquids. Waxes are insoluble in water but soluble in nonpolar organic solvents such as hexane, benzene and chloroform. Natural waxes of different types are produced by plants and animals and occur in petroleum.

For other uses, see Wax (disambiguation).

– produced by honey bees

– produced by the scale insect Ceroplastes ceriferus

(wool wax) – from the sebaceous glands of sheep

wax – from the lac insect Kerria lacca

– from the head cavities and blubber of the sperm whale

or the "ball of wax example", is a thought experiment originally articulated by Renė Descartes.

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