Relight a Candle Without Touching it

Try this mesmerizing trick the next time you’re going to light a candle. This fascinating experiment for children and adults lets you relight a candle without touching it. Watch the video and read the instructions to learn how.

Equipment

• A candle
• Matches

Instructions

1. An adult should be present during the experiment.
2. Light the candle and wait until you get a big flame.
3. Light a match and blow out the candle.
4. See if you can ignite the candle by igniting the gas that rises from it. Start far above the candle and quickly work your way downwards.

What happens when you relight a candle without touching it?

Solid candle wax is not the fuel of a candle. The wick burns and gets heated, melting the wax directly underneath it. The wick then absorbs the melted wax, which makes it even hotter. The wax is so hot that it becomes a gas and evaporates—the gas, not the solid wax, burns and fuels the candle. When you blow out a candle, the smoke is hot enough to be used to ignite the candle again. Try it out and see how you can use science to relight a candle without touching it.

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