What happens when you burn a candle at both ends?

What happens when you burn a candle at both ends?

Materials needed

• Candle
• Match
• Toothpicks
• Water glasses

Procedure

1. Prepare a candle so the wick may be lighted at both ends.

2. Insert round toothpicks into the candle and balance it on the water glasses as shown in the illustration. It doesn't have to balance perfectly.

3. Predict what will happen if you light body ends of the candle.

4. Light both ends of the candle. Observe for several minutes. What happened?

5. Think about it. And explain what happened the best you can. Share your ideas with others in your group.

Teacher information

Caution: activities with fire or heat should be done only under close adult supervision or as a teacher demonstration.

                When the candle is lighted at both ends, the end tilting downward will burn wax away more rapidly and become lighter. When it tilts up, the other end will be down, and it will burn wax away more rapidly. As this process continues to reserve, the candle will rock back and forth, often quite vigorously.