Candle

High school (ages 12+)
Making & Design

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/candle

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the material evolution?From animal fats and beeswax to paraffin, soy, and palm waxes
2. What is the cultural roles?Integral to religious ceremonies, celebrations, and creating ambiance
3. How does a candle make light?The flame melts the wax, the liquid wax climbs the wick, turns into gas, and burns with oxygen to create heat and light.
4. Why did candles become popular in the 19th century?In the 1800s, paraffin wax from oil was made cheaply, so many people could buy candles and use them at home.

Capillary Action: The movement of liquid within narrow spaces, like a wick, due to intermolecular forces.
Hydrocarbons: Organic compounds consisting entirely of hydrogen and carbon atoms, serving as fuel in candles.
Incandescent Soot: Tiny, glowing particles of carbon formed during incomplete combustion, responsible for the yellow color of a candle flame.
Exothermic Reaction: A chemical reaction that releases energy, typically in the form of heat and light, as seen in a burning candle.