what is the shape of the candle flame?
To me it looks kind of like a leaf--more like a teardrop. Am I correct?
where does the wax from the candle go?
Does it just burn in the flame?
It looks somewhat a flame to me, too.
The wax either burns in the flame, producing CO2 and H2O or it drips down the side of the candle instead of burning.
Thank you DrBob222:-)
The shape of a candle flame is actually a bit different from a leaf or a teardrop. It has a conical shape, with a blue base and a yellow tip. The blue part is the hottest part, where the flame is actually burning. It is surrounded by a less intense, yellowish color, which is the visible part of the flame.
As for where the wax from the candle goes, it doesn't burn directly in the flame. Instead, the heat from the flame melts the wax near the wick, turning it into a liquid. This liquid wax is drawn up the wick, similar to how a sponge absorbs water, through a process known as capillary action. Once the liquid wax reaches the top of the wick, it evaporates and mixes with air, turning into a flammable gas. This gas is what actually burns in the flame, producing heat, light, and the byproducts of combustion, such as carbon dioxide and water vapor.
So, to summarize, the wax from the candle doesn't burn directly in the flame. It is drawn up the wick, where it evaporates and the resulting gas burns in the flame.