You know them, the flickering lights that enchant romantic evenings or illuminate birthday cakes: candles. But have you ever wondered what actually burns in a candle? The intuitive answer “the wick” or “the wax” falls short. The reality is far more fascinating and takes us deep into the world of chemistry.
The Wick: An Inconspicuous Hero
Of course, the wick plays a central role. It functions like a tiny elevator, transporting the liquid wax upwards through capillary action. But it’s not the star of the show; rather, it’s the supplier for the true fuel.
Wax: Metamorphosis into Gas
The heat of the flame melts the wax around the wick. But instead of just melting, something amazing happens: The wax transforms into a gas, a vapor that rises upwards. This invisible wax vapor is the real secret behind the candle flame.
Wax Vapor: The Invisible Firestarter
It sounds paradoxical, but what we perceive as flickering light is the combustion of wax vapor. Imagine you’re driving a car: It’s not the liquid gasoline that burns in the engine, but the vapor that forms from it. The same applies to a candle: The wax vapor is the fuel that keeps the flame alive.
Experiment: Catch Wax Vapor in the Act
Want proof? No problem! With a simple experiment, you can experience wax vapor in action:
- Light a candle and let it burn for a few minutes until a small pool of wax forms around the wick.
- Carefully blow out the candle. Make sure the smoke doesn’t disperse immediately.
- Now take a lit match and hold it about 2-3 centimeters above the wick in the smoke.
- Be amazed: The flame literally jumps over the smoke back to the wick and reignites the candle!
- What happened? When you blew out the candle, you extinguished the visible flame, but the wick continues to give off wax vapor. This invisible vapor ignites from the match, travels along the vapor cloud back to the wick, and makes the candle shine again.
Candlelight: More Than Just Romantic Flickering
Candles are more than just atmospheric light sources. They are small chemical marvels that fascinate us with their simple elegance. The next time you light a candle, remember the hidden spectacle of wax vapor that gives us light and warmth. And perhaps you’ll discover even more exciting details about the chemistry behind the candle flame.
