When you light a matchstick & hold it parallel to the ground, why does the burning end bend skywards?

Question

Well, I tried it a few times-

1- I lit a match
2- Held it horizontal
3- Watched it burn (till the fire reached my finger: not recommended for kids and silly people... (j/k))


I always observed that the stick was bending upwards as the fire moved on.

Any special reason for such observation?

Answer 1

The heat of the flame must be burning hotter at the top of the matchstick (which makes sense, since it's closer to the center of the flame) and that causes more of the wood fibers to burn. When there's more material gone on the top than on the bottom, it curls up, the way a hot dog does on the grill.

Answer 2

I think it has to do with the chemistry of the reaction. When you strike a match and initiate the flame, what you've done is to create a chain reaction that consumes the wood in the matchstick to produce light, heat and carbon (ash).

The reason the flame bends skyward is due to the heat. The products of the burning (and the air surrounding the flame) are much hotter than the ambient conditions and thus - less dense. This reduced density in the products and air surrounding the flame cause it to bend skywards (or, in the opposite direction from the pull of gravity) Look up "Buoyancy" on Wikipedia.

Note, this is the same effect that allows hot air balloons to rise :)

Answer 3

Look at the wood after it's burnt. It shrunk. The top of the match is hotter than the bottom when it's burning, so the top shrinks faster, drawing the match into an upturned curve.

Answer 4

heat causes the air to rise.The rising cooler air from the bottom of the match lessens the burning on the bottom keeping it stiffer allowing the top to bend upward.

Answer 5

lighters cause it is lot easier to light stuff on fire and if u have a limited amount of matchsticks u might not get the job done which has happened to me. : (

Answer 6

ok well it really doesnt mean much that the stick bent, the stick always bends when its burnt, so theres is no special reason for the stick bending, but theres is one for why the flame bends when you hold it horizontal.

Answer 7

Any answer I give you would be pretty close to a guess but I like that your asking a question from intrigue of the workings of the world and not another homework one.

Answer 8

Heat rises.

Answer 9

It wants to go to Heaven....