Do you know that feeling? You light a candle and suddenly everything around you becomes calmer and more relaxed. But have you ever wondered what exactly is happening there? Why does a candle burn at all and how does the whole thing work? Don’t worry, you don’t have to be a chemistry genius to understand this! Let’s take a look behind the candle magic together.
Why doesn’t a candle just burn away?
When you light a candle, the wax only melts at first. But why doesn’t it just go out, like a melted ice cube? The secret lies in a chemical reaction called combustion. It needs three things: fuel (the wax), heat (from the flame), and oxygen (from the air).
How does wax become a flame? Explained step by step:
- Melting: The heat of the flame causes the solid wax to melt.
- Rising: The liquid wax climbs up the wick – like water in a straw.
- Vaporizing: At the top of the wick, it gets so hot that the liquid wax turns into a gas, called wax vapor.
- Burning: The wax vapor reacts with the oxygen from the air and boom – a flame is created!
The candle flame under the microscope:
The flame of a candle is not just a spot of light. It consists of different zones:
- At the bottom, it’s blue because that’s where the hottest temperatures are.
- In the middle, it glows yellow-orange as tiny soot particles glow here.
- At the top, it’s almost transparent because the wax burns completely here.
Cool, right? And you know what? The flame is even hollow in the middle!
Candle Fun Facts
- Did you know that the first candles were invented over 5000 years ago? Back then, they were made from beeswax or tallow and served not only as a light source but also for religious ceremonies.
- If you blow out a candle and quickly hold a match in the smoke, you can relight it without touching the wick. This is because the smoke still contains wax vapor that can ignite.
- A candle flame always burns upwards, no matter what position you hold the candle in. This is because the hot air rises and pulls the flame with it.
Ceramic candles from Lumond: More than just wax and wick
At Lumond, you’ll find not only beautiful ceramic candles that transform your home into a feel-good oasis but also very special Blooming Candles. When the wax has burned off, you can simply add soil and seeds to the ceramic container, and soon beautiful flowers will grow from it. A real eye-catcher and a great gift for anyone who loves nature and sustainability!
So candles are much more than just romantic light. They are small wonders of chemistry and have a long and exciting history. And with the Blooming Candles from Lumond, you can even bring a piece of nature into your home.