Combustion

This experiment will teach you how to put out a candle without blowing it out. You will also learn how it burns.

How does it work?

The principle used in this experiment is simply combustion.

For a candle to burn, it needs air. When you cover it up, the flame consumes the air in the glass. When there is no air left, the candle extinguishes.

You can compare combustion to our own breathing. Like us, the flame consumes the oxygen (02) contained in the air and exhales carbon dioxide (CO2).

Necessary materials

• A tea-light candle
• A glass

How to make this experiment?

1. Ask an adult to light the tea-light candle.
2. Ask an adult to cover it with the glass.
3. You can observe that the candle is put out.
4. Ask the adult to light the candle again.
5. This time, ask the adult to cover the tea-light but to uncover it just before it goes out.
6. You can see that the flame grows again.