Candle Experiments

In science, we did many experiments using candles. For the first experiment we massed a candle on a balance, and recorded it. We then lit the candle and every 20 seconds, recorded the mass. The candle dropped around .15 grams every 20 seconds. This just proves that a candle will evaporate over time. For the second experiment we tried to prove that the candle needs oxygen to continue burning. We placed a beaker over the candle and recorded how long it takes for the candle to run out of oxygen. The candle took 5 seconds to burn out. With the beaker covering the candle and not allowing any oxygen to flow into the beaker the candle ran out of oxygen to burn on.

For the third experiment we attempted to prove that carbon dioxide was a product of burning a candle. First we burned a candle to produce liquid wax. We then dumped the wax into a pan, and quickly placed the candle on top, this was used to hold the candle down.We then poured water into the pan around the candle. The candle was then lit, and we placed an Erlenmeyer flask over the candle. As the candle continued to burn the water moved up the Erlenmeyer flask. This happens because as the oxygen burns it heat up the inside of the flask. Heated particles move faster which created a higher pressure. The water was then used to to equal out that pressure. So as the water moved up the flask the candle burned out. We then quickly pulled of the flask, flipped it over, then poured bromothymol blue into it. The bromothymol blue reacts with carbon dioxide and turns a green color.

For the fourth experiment was to show how a candle burns. We took two candles and lit them, we then blew one out and tried to relight one with the other. Using heat from the still lit candle, the candle heated the particles of the unlit candle and relighted the candle. Next we had to balance an equation. I ended up with the equation 2C2OH42+61O2=> 40CO2+42H2O. This equation is balanced, because the molar mass on each side is congruent.
This Shows the Third Experiment