science

When a candle is alight, heat energy is released as a result of a chemical reaction known as combustion. This reaction occurs when the wick of the candle is ignited, causing the wax to heat up and react with oxygen in the air. The heat energy released causes the wax to vaporize, and the vapor and other components of the flame mix with oxygen from the air and burn, producing light and heat. Some of the heat energy released is used to fuel the flame, while the rest is released as thermal energy. During the combustion process, physical and chemical changes occur. The physical changes include the wax vaporizing and burning to create a flame, heat being released, and light being emitted. The chemical changes involve the combustible wax and other flammable chemicals in the candle reacting with oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water vapor, as well as other chemicals such as carbon monoxide.