Final answer:
Waxes are solid substances produced by the deep burial of organic matter. They consist of alkyl chains and can be derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil.
Step-by-step explanation:
Waxes are solid waxy substances produced by the deep burial of organic matter. They are organic compounds that consist of long aliphatic alkyl chains. Natural waxes may contain unsaturated bonds and various functional groups, while synthetic waxes consist of long-chain aliphatic hydrocarbons without functional groups. Paraffin wax is a type of wax derived from petroleum, coal, or shale oil and is commonly used in industrial applications.