Why doesn't a candle burn unless it is lit with a match?

Answer 1

Either it has been extinguished, or it has burned down. Extinguishing a candle can be done by snuffing the candle, thus depriving the flame of oxygen, or by blowing it out. I am guessing you're more interested in the latter, so here goes, to the best of my ability. A flame is a byproduct of a chemical reaction, usually an oxidation process. Some element from the fuel, generally carbon, is combining with natural oxygen in the air. the flame is the heat and light energy given off by this reaction. As with all reactions, when one element runs out, the reaction ends. So in the case of snuffing the candle, the oxygen runs out, or in the case of a candle burning down, the fuel runs out, so there is nothing to combine with the oxygen, ending the reaction. Unless of course something else catches fire. Then you've got a bigger problem.

Answer 2

The fuel of the candle is the wax. The heat from the flame melts the wax which is drawn up the wick by capilary action and burns to feed the flame. The flame travels down the wick as the candle melts revealing more wick.

Interestingly, a non-flammable wick would work just as well (the Romans used asbestos for lantern wicks) but the non-flammable wick would droop as the candle burned down and channel the molten wax away from the flame, or potentially spread the flame wider creating an uncontrolled burn. Which is why flammable wicks are used which burn away as the flame travels down.

Answer 3

The activation energy for the combustion reaction that takes place when the candle burns is too great for the reaction to begin at room temperature without the input of energy (such as by lighting it with a match). However, once the reaction has been started, it produces enough energy to sustain itself. This is why the candle continues to burn.

Answer 4

The activation energy given by the burning match causes the candle to burn. This activation energy is supplied by the thermal energy, which is released as the match burns.

Answer 5

Because you can't do it because the wood on the match turns to charcoal, which is very fragile.

Answer 6

Because the wick has reached the temperature of combustion and is burning on its own.