what is the reason a candle flickers?

0 ⤊

what is the reason a candle flickers?

other than the obvious , due to wind

2007-05-31 16:57:03 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics

3 answers

It's because the hot air rising from the flame (hot air rises) through the still air surrounding it become turbulent due to the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. This instability often occurs wherever there is velocity shear in a fluid.

2007-06-01 03:02:00 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. R 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋

Sometimes the wick isn't all one consistency which means the wax melting around it doesn't melt uniformly.

Another probably less likely reason would be not uniform exposure to oxygen.

2007-06-01 00:00:54 · answer #2 · answered by ya_tusik 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋

air...... talk near it and watch the flame flicker even more

2007-06-01 09:10:52 · answer #3 · answered by Isis27 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋