Key Concepts
Chemistry
Chemical reactions
States of matter
Combustion
Introduction
There are many occasions to light candles. Have you ever looked closely at the flame? Which part of the candle is actually burning? Can you tell? Is it the wick, the solid wax, the liquid wax or something else? In this activity you will light some candles to find out—no special occasion required!
Background
Whether they are on a birthday cake or dinner table or menorah, most candles we use today are wax-dipped candles. This style of candle dates back to the ancient Romans. Through the center of the wax runs a wick, which is usually made from cotton or other material that can absorb liquids well. So how do these two materials come together to help a candle burn steadily?
