Activity 1 - Burning Candle Observations

What is burning?
- Right now we are looking at a lit candle over the projection screen. Using the fire to light the wick the candle becomes lit. The wax is burning and melting due to the flame lit on the wick. The heat that the flame lets off melts the candle wax.

Fatty Acids
C20H42---> C40H82
Average Wax
C25H52

 

What is the chemical reaction?
- A candle is made of a solid hydrocarbon called paraffin.  When the solid burns, the hydrocarbon reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water.The rate of the chemical reaction depends on the concentration of oxygen and hydrocarbon.
Unbalanced: C₂₅H₅₂ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O

What is the balanced chemical reaction?
Balanced: C₂₅H₅₂ + 38 O₂ → 25 CO₂ + 26 H₂O

What is the chemical reaction for butane?
Butane formula is C4H10 + O2 -----> H2O + CO2

2C4H10 + 13O2 ----> 10H20 + 8CO2

What is the chemical reaction for candle wax?
C25H52 + 38O2 ----> 26H2O + 25CO2