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No. The wax on a candle is used to slow a flame. Without the wick, its basically a crayon. However if you boil wax until it catches fire and then spray it with water, it can make a spectacular fireball. However, I do NOT suggest doing this unless guided by a professional pyrotechnic.

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Q: Would a candle burn without a wick?
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Continue Learning about General Science

Which part of the candle burns?

In a traditional candle, the part that burns is the wick. The wick is typically a braided or twisted cord made from natural fibers, such as cotton or hemp, or sometimes from a blend of natural and synthetic materials. If you happen to have time, Please check Ohcans candle. We have more details about candle on our blogpost.


What physical and chemical changes occur when a wax candle burn?

Some wax burns, and as it does so, chemical changes occurs. Wax converts to CO2, CO, and H2O. That is an exothermic reaction The rest of the wax melts with the increased temperature. That is the physical change.


Is lighting a chemical change?

Yes. While act of melting wax is a physical change, because you can remould it, the wax is actually what is primarily burned as fuel. You cannot unburn the wick nor the consumed wax. Remember, if it can be redone, it is probably physical and vice versa.The wick of a candle is used to light it and is used as a medium for burning the wax. As the wax is heated, it is soaked into the burning wick. As the fire burns the wax on the wick, more melted wax is absorbed into by the wick. As the wax burns down, so does the wick.


What physical changes happen when a candle is lit?

There are many things that physically chance when a candle burns. The wick burns, and turns into ash, and wax of the candle melts and runs down the sides of the candle or container.


What is a chemical change when a candle burns?

CombustionThe chemical change that occurs is that the atoms move around with the chemical change. Whereas the physical change will keep the candle moving in a normal way.Oxidation.The Hydrocarbon composition of the wax varies and is a mix of C20 to C40 so an exact equation can not be given. However, it is a standard combustion reaction. i.e. CxHy + (x + y/4) O2 ---> (y/2) H2O + (x) CO2The little numbers (subscripts) are coefficients. A chemistry reaction is like a math equation: whatever is on one side has to equal whatever is on the opposite side. The coefficients take care of that. They look confusing in the reaction shown because they are letters, but if you stick numbers in there it would be much easier to understand. Let us use an example of C25 which would be C25H52.C25H52 + 38 O2 ------- 25CO2 + 26 H2O + energy (heat and light)When you burn a candle, you are performing simple combustion reactions of this type. The oxygen comes from the air and the heat initially comes from an outside source such as a match. When this combustion reaction happens, it makes water and carbon dioxide as shown as well as heat and light energy. The coefficients tell us how much of each component is used and produced.The wick in a candle is also mainly hydrocarbon with oxygen also present and this also burns though at a much slower rate. When you light the wick, you provide a heat source and oxygen from the air. The smoke formed contains carbon dioxide and water and also some soot from inneficient combustion.

Related questions

Why does a candle have a wick?

A candle has a wick because without one the lit candle would not burn.


What is the name of the part that you burn on a candle?

Wick


What is a middle of a candle called?

The wick is the central part of a candle. Without a wick, a candle is just a wax stick.


What is the difference between melting of candle wax and burning of candle?

Burning a candle is the process in which the wick is burnt. The wax is there to make the wick burn slower in order to let the candle burn for longer. Melting wax is part of the process but not burning the candle itself.


How long will it take for a candle wick to burn down?

for me really i think that it takes 2 - 3 hrs depending on the lenght of the candle wick


Is it possible to burn the candle at both ends?

Yes. The wick goes all accross the candle. You simply burn the bottom of the candle a little and the wick will stick if the bottom burns enough. So you lay the candle and stick it on a square object and light both ends of the candle.


How would a larger diameter candle would produce a larger flame?

The size of the wick dertermines how large the flame is.


Is candle wax flammable?

not without a wick...........


Does area affect a candels burning rate?

The area of a candle itself would not normally affect the burning rate of the candle, but the area and transport rate of the candle wick could affect these properties. When in use, mot candles burn at the upper end of their wicks, to which the liquefied material of the candle is transported through its wick to bring the liquefied material into optimal contact with oxygen from the air. If a wick is extra large and/or transports the liquefied substance of the candle with more speed than average, the candle would burn faster.


What is a example of how to supply activation energy to begin a reaction?

When a lit match is touched to the wick of a candle, the candle begins to burn. When the match is removed, the candle continues to burn.


What does a candle need to stay lit?

Make sure you are not close to any wind!!!!!! In addition, oxygen and the wick are needed to continue the flame. If the wick runs out, or if the candle is put in an oxygen-free environment the candle will burn out.


Does the flame destroy the candle?

No. It just makes the wick burn slower. However, technically part of the candle is "destroyed" hence why you can smell the scent of the candle.