2.5 Burning of a Candle and Three Stages of Wax

Wax Composition:

• Wax is a mixture of hydrocarbons (organic compounds made up of hydrogen and carbon atoms).

Three States of Wax During Burning:

When a candle is burned, three distinct states of wax can be observed:

1. Solid Wax:

• The candle starts in a solid state. This solid wax is made up of hydrocarbon molecules.

2. Liquid Wax:

• When heat is applied (from the flame), the hydrocarbon particles in the wax melt into a liquid state.

• A thin liner inside the wax melts, and the liquid wax absorbs heat and starts to vaporize.

3. Vaporized Wax (Gas):

• The vaporized wax molecules react with oxygen from the air.

• This reaction produces carbon dioxide, water vapor, light, and heat.

• After vaporization and combustion, a portion of the liquid wax solidifies again.

Summary:

• The three states of wax observed during the burning of a candle are solid, liquid, and vapor.

• The process involves melting of solid wax to liquid, vaporization of the liquid, and combustion of the vaporized wax with oxygen to produce carbon dioxide, water, light, and heat.

• The presence of heat allows for the transitions between these states.