Naked Science Forum

General Science => General Science => Topic started by: ayo on 23/06/2010 11:30:03

Title: What happens to a lit candle on a needle?
Post by: ayo on 23/06/2010 11:30:03

ayo asked the Naked Scientists:
   
If a candle is balanced on a horizontal needle through its near its centre of mass and is lit, please explain the output mechanical power of the system and the phenomenon?

What do you think?

Title: What happens to a lit candle on a needle?
Post by: chris on 23/06/2010 17:28:38

A variant of this experiment is to light BOTH ends of a candle impaled through it's mid-point and balanced horizontally on two supports. The candle bobs up and down as each end alternately loses drops of wax - and hence becomes lighter - making the heavier end sink and burn faster. This then loses more wax owing to the accelerated burning, making it lighter so it rises again, and so on until the candle becomes too short for the effect to work any more.

chris