MadSci Network: Chemistry |
If a candle is burning in a gravitational field but not in free fall, the
combustion products (like carbon dioxide), being hotter, will rise because they
are less dense. This draws air in at the base of the flame to keep the fire
going.
But if you put a candle in a jar, light it, and drop it, everything in the jar -- including air, candle and combustion products -- is in free fall. This means that there is no local "down" or "up" and the combustion products don't rise away from the flame. So the candle smothers in its own waste.
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Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on Chemistry.