The Science of a Burning Candle
Watch the 2010 Wicked Chemistry Video "Aaaah Yeeaaah!"
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Physical & Chemical
Changes
Expansion and Contraction Writing Chemical Equations |
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| Melted Wax a Physical Change | Igniting The White Smoke | |
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C25H52 + O2 ----->Using Energy in the Form of Fire----> CO + C + H2 + H2O |
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| This is a basic explanation and the chemical equation is not balanced, but it is fine for now. | ||
| Candle Wax + Oxygen in Air--------> Carbon Monoxide + Black Carbon + Hydrogen + Water | ||
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| White Smoke = Hydrogen | Black Carbon Does Not Ignite | Igniting the White Smoke |
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| Lower the Jar... | ...Into the Water... | ...No Water Enters the Jar? |
| If the candle was burning, it would go out and water would enter the jar! Why? | ||
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