Monday, July 11, 2011

What is a possible explanation as to why the candle went out?

One obvious reason why a candle goes out is because it reached the end of its life - i.e. it's already been fully consumed. Another one is that someone or something blows it out.


However, if you put a glass jar (or any closed contained) over a candle to fully isolate it, it would also go out. This has something to do with the requirements to generate a flame - or to burn something - a combustible material, a spark - or anything to start the flame, and air. 


Burning is an oxidation reaction. The fire is the result of the highly exothermic reaction of the combustible material with oxygen, a component of air. Thus, oxygen is required in order for a candle to burn. Without oxygen, it will die out.


Hence, if you cover a candle with a jar, for instance, it will eventually die out as it consumed the oxygen inside the jar - and without oxygen or with insufficient oxygen, it cannot continue to burn.



Note: An interesting take on this, and experiments that can be done to demonstrate this, are found in reference 2 that I attached.

No comments:

Post a Comment

How does the choice of details set the tone of the sermon?

Edwards is remembered for his choice of details, particularly in this classic sermon. His goal was not to tell people about his beliefs; he ...