What is the science on this one? Is it the removal of oxygen? the elemination of heat source??
2007-12-19 05:44:25 · 13 answers · asked by Snowtime 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Your second guess is closer. A candle flame is sustained by the energy being released by the burning wax igniting additional wax molecules in the wick. This works while the flame plasma is close to more wax in the wick. Once you blow hard enough on the flame, that tiny plasma cloud of hot gas is effectively stripped away from the wick, and no further wax molecules will ignite. But it still had plenty of oxygen.
2007-12-19 05:49:49 · answer #1 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's definitely not the removal of oxygen because wind can also put a candle out and that's nothing but moving air. I'd say it would have to be the cooling of the heat source so much that it just fizzles out. But I'm not sure.
2007-12-19 13:48:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
When you blow out a candle the breath contains a high level of carbon dioxide which cannot sustain the flame but more likely the velocity of the air( blowing can produce wind speeds of over 200 miles per hour ) cools the burning wax and puts out the flame.
2007-12-19 13:51:28 · answer #3 · answered by Anson C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Combination of things. The blowing wind exhaled from your mouth blows the flame away from it's source of fuel, which is the wax. It also cools the wick over a very quick period of time, to a point where it likely will not re-ignite itself.
Typically, the tip of the wick remains glowing red, but over time this too will cool.
2007-12-19 13:51:04 · answer #4 · answered by Goth Skunk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Removal of oxygen
2007-12-19 13:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by Prophet 1102 7 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Your essentially spreading it's fuel source out. The air moves by too quickly for it to use and then finally extinguishes.
2007-12-19 13:48:18 · answer #6 · answered by Maione S 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
removal of flame from wick
2007-12-19 14:00:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
its scared of the wind so it travels off to fireland.
2007-12-19 13:48:34 · answer #8 · answered by jakulik 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sorry- I am not science geek. Only tech and literature. :)
2007-12-19 13:47:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
i dont know. but thats a good question. good luck on that.
2007-12-19 13:48:02 · answer #10 · answered by tortured hearts 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋