Do candles evaporate?
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Benjamin Lee
Works at the World Health Organization, Lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
As a subject matter expert in the field of physical chemistry, I can provide an explanation for the behavior of candles when they are lit.
Candles do not typically "evaporate" in the way that a liquid might when it is heated to a high enough temperature to turn into vapor without passing through a liquid phase. However, when a candle is lit, the heat from the flame causes the wax to melt, which is a phase transition from solid to liquid. The melted wax is then absorbed by the wick, which acts like a capillary tube. As the wick continues to be heated by the flame, the liquid wax is further heated and turns into a vapor. This vapor is then ignited by the flame, producing the light and heat that we associate with a burning candle.
The process that most closely resembles evaporation in the context of a burning candle is the vaporization of the liquid wax. However, it is important to note that the term "evaporation" usually refers to an unassisted process that happens at the surface of a liquid as individual molecules gain enough energy to escape into the air. In the case of a candle, the process is more complex and involves melting, capillary action, and vaporization before combustion occurs.
Candles do not typically "evaporate" in the way that a liquid might when it is heated to a high enough temperature to turn into vapor without passing through a liquid phase. However, when a candle is lit, the heat from the flame causes the wax to melt, which is a phase transition from solid to liquid. The melted wax is then absorbed by the wick, which acts like a capillary tube. As the wick continues to be heated by the flame, the liquid wax is further heated and turns into a vapor. This vapor is then ignited by the flame, producing the light and heat that we associate with a burning candle.
The process that most closely resembles evaporation in the context of a burning candle is the vaporization of the liquid wax. However, it is important to note that the term "evaporation" usually refers to an unassisted process that happens at the surface of a liquid as individual molecules gain enough energy to escape into the air. In the case of a candle, the process is more complex and involves melting, capillary action, and vaporization before combustion occurs.
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Works at Apple, Lives in Cupertino, CA
When you light the candle, the solid wax melts and liquid wax is drawn up the wick. As the candle gets hotter, the liquid wax evaporates into a gas. This gaseous wax burns in the oxygen of the air. ... If you hold a lighted match near the hot wick, the wax ignites and the flame spreads to the wick.
2023-04-16 08:02:11
Charlotte Perez
QuesHub.com delivers expert answers and knowledge to you.
When you light the candle, the solid wax melts and liquid wax is drawn up the wick. As the candle gets hotter, the liquid wax evaporates into a gas. This gaseous wax burns in the oxygen of the air. ... If you hold a lighted match near the hot wick, the wax ignites and the flame spreads to the wick.
