why does a candle flame take a tear drop shape?

Answer 1

A candle flame is often used to illustrate the complicated physio-chemical processes of combustion. The flame surface itself represents the location where fuel vapor and oxygen mix at high temperature and with the release of heat. Heat from the flame melts the wax at the base of the exposed wick. The liquid wax rises by capillary action up the wick, bringing it into closer proximity to the hot flame. This close proximity causes the liquid wax to vaporize. The wax vapors then migrate toward the flame surface, breaking down into smaller hydrocarbons enroute. Oxygen from the surrounding atmosphere also migrates toward the flame surface by diffusion and convection. The survival and location of the flame surface is determined by the balance of these processes.

In normal gravity, buoyancy-driven convection develops due to the hot, less dense combustion products. This action has several effects: (a) the hot reaction products are carried away due to their buoyancy, and fresh oxygen is carried toward the flame zone; (b) solid particles of soot form in the region between the flame and the wick and are convected upward, where they burn off, yielding the bright yellow tip of the flame; (c) to overcome the loss of heat due to buoyancy, the flame anchors itself close to the wick; (d) the combination of these effects causes the flame to be shaped like a teardrop.

Answer 2

There is cool dense air entering the base of the flame at a slow speed over a wide area. As the air moves up the wick it supports combustion and combines with candle fumes forced out of the candle by heat. As the combustion air (nitrogen and oxygen plus trace gases) is converted to hot nitrogen and carbon dioxide it expands and becomes less dense. The less dense hot gases are increasingly more buoyant and travel upward at a greater speed taking less room which forms a taper. The shape of the flame (teardrop) is the end result of expansion and increasing speed. The hot flame also entrains and heats adjacent cooler air which also rises helping supply the flame with fresh air. The upper tip of the flame is hottest and burns most of the wax fumes including carbon particles but if the flame is interrupted by a cold body (needle?) it will cool and leave soot.

Answer 3

When a candle is burning we see the brightest part of the flame.
As the heat rises it cools the visible light goes into the infrared etc.
The cooling effect tapers up producing the tear drop shape!

Answer 4

Teardrop Candle

Answer 5

for sure not something. became once, one tear drop for each human being you killed even as in a gang, yet i'm positive Lil' Wayne hasn't ever killed everyone because he's a moist puss. And the game is in basic terms stupid, attempting to be like Lil Wayne. And neither of then are quite Gangsters.

Answer 6

Same reason water does. The flames are cohesive as well as adhesive. :) Put two flames near each other and they draw together.