Challenge 1 : A Burning Candle

Introduction

In observing we use our five senses: sight, smell, touch, taste and hearing. This is the most basic skill in
science. This involves exploring looks (color, shape and size), sounds, texture ,temperature, pressure,
tastes, and smells or odor. Observations can be qualitative or quantitative

Materials
Candle
Matches

Safety Precautions
Do not allow flammable materials near the open flame. Burn the candle on a fire-resistant surface. Wear
chemical splash goggles.

Procedure
1. Place a large candle on any fire resistant surface. Make sure the candle is stable and will not easily tip
over. If necessary, secure it in a mound of clay.
2. Write down your observations of the unlit candle.
3. Light the candle with a match.
4 Record your observations of the burning candle
5. Extinguish the candle.
8. Observe as the candle cools.
9. Dispose the candle properly.
sound, brightness, temperature). A current writeup and list of more than 100 observations can be found

Rubrics
Criteria Very Skilled Skilled Average Low skilled Ho skill
Skilled
The number of senses 5 4 3 2 1
used to observe
 the Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates Does not
appropriateness/quality exceptional above average limited demonstrate
of the primary and quality of average quality of understanding understanding
supporting observation; quality of observation of of observation
observations able to observation,. observation.
elaborate.
communication sentence Minor Grammar and Grammar and Many
structure is mistakes in spelling spelling least mistakes in
consistently spelling and minimally acceptable. grammar and
correct. grammar acceptable. More spelling
Several mistakes
mistakes evident
evident
Observations to make about a burning candle
Data sheet for The Science Sourcebook ©Norm Herr
flame
initial speed of burning The initial speed of burning is 3 seconds.
The speed of burning once the wax starts to melt is 10 seconds.
speed of burning once the wax starts to melt
The height of the flame in the open air is 1mm.
height of the flame in the open air The color of the flame is orange, indigo and yellow.
colors of the flame The color of flame light reflected off white paper is yellow.

colors of flame light reflected off white paper The quality of light generated by the flame is good brightness.
The color distribution within the flame is accurate which is really amazing.
quality of light generated by the flame
The shape of the flame is oval.
color distribution within flame The response of the flame to air movement is sensitive, it depends on the air
shape of flame directions.

response of flame to air movement The response of flame to water is not normal, but the flame is going to go off
The changes in flame height when the beaker is lowered is smaller than
response of flame to water
before.
changes in flame height when beaker is lowered The changes in flame color when the beaker is lowered yellow is going to
changes in flame color when beaker is lowered transparent blue.
The direction of the flame burning when the candle is tilted is opposite to the
direction flame burns when candle is tilted
direction of how you tilted.
duration of smoke when candle is extinguished
The direction of the smoke when the candle is extinguished is going upwards.
time candle burns under large beaker The time the candle burns under a large beaker is 18 seconds.
time candle burns under medium beaker The time the candle burns under a medium beaker is 12 secs.
The time the candle burns under a small beaker is 8 seconds.
time candle burns under small beaker
The shape of flame when water is placed in a well is oval.
shape of flame when water is placed in well

condensate The appearance of condensate in the beaker there is a fogginess on

appearance of condensate in beaker the inside of the breaker.

conditions under which condensate forms The conditions under which condensate forms is clear.
The location where condensate forms is liquid gas upwards.
location where condensate forms
The rate of condensate forms is not really formed into a liquid.
rate condensate forms
The rate condensate disappears if flame is removed is more turning
rate condensate disappears if flame is removed
into gas and into liquid form,

deposits
color of deposits on beaker The color of the deposits on the beaker is light white.
The location where deposits form is upwards to downwards.
location where deposits form
The rate deposits formed on the beaker are faster to react at a time.
rate deposits form on beaker
The conditions under which deposits form are unconsolidated.
conditions under which deposits form
The texture of deposits is little fogginess and forms into little pieces
texture of deposits
of water.
smoke
color of the smoke The color of the smoke is light white into very light gray.

quantity of smoke The quantity of smoke is Large.

The distribution of smoke is upwards to downwards until the whole
distribution of smoke
beaker is filled up.
change in smoke production with funnel
The change in smoke production with funnel is going to liquid.
distance from which candle can be relit by relighting
The distance from which a candle can be relit by relighting smoke is
smoke
about 5 inch.
color bromothymol blue turns in the smoke
The color bromothymol blue turns in the smoke is white, and can
relit the candle.

candle (paraffin)
color of candle The color of the candle is white.

texture of candle The texture of the candle is smooth.

The shape of the candle is circle.
shape of the candle
The rate candle is consumed is faster.
rate candle is consumed
The appearance of wax when candle is burning is melting.
appearance of wax when candle is burning
The color of tip of wick when burning is blue.
color of tip of wick when burning
The rate candle is consumed if wax is in well is drained is natural not
rate candle is consumed if wax in well is drained
so fast than melting.
rate candle is consumed if wax is not drained The rate candle is consumed if wax is not drained is faster.
width of tracks left by flowing wax The width of tracks left by flowing wax is small.

wick The position of wick of unlit candle is straight.

position of wick of unlit candle The color of wick of unlit candle is white.

color of wick of unlit candle The structure of the wick of unlit candle is well formed.
The ability of wick to burn if placed in water is absorbant.
structure of the wick of unlit candle
The ability of wick to burn if placed in lamp fluid is weak.
ability of wick to burn if placed in water
The color of base of wick when burning is blue.
ability of wick to burn if placed in lamp fluid
The color of stalk of wick when burning is black.
color of base of wick when burning
The flow patterns of fluid wax is circular.
color of stalk of wick when burning
The rate of wick burns when not in wax is faster.
flow patterns of liquid wax The rae of wick burns when in candle is slower.
rate wick burns when not in wax The apparent dryness or wetness of base of wick is faster depends on
rate wick burns when in candle the positions of candle.
apparent dryness or wetness of base of wick
odors
odors produced by unlit candle The odors produced by unlight candle is not strong.

odors produced by burning candle The odors produced by burning candle is light good and smell
burning candle.
odors released by extinguished candle
The odors released by extinguished candle is smells wax and
chemical.

sound
sound produced by burning candle The sound produced by burning candle is very light noise.
sound of candle when water is placed in well The sound of candle when water is placed in well is like frying but
not loud noise.

heat
heat distribution around flame (top, sides, base) The heat distribution around flame is not so hot if when you place it

side of hand that feels heat when placed close to flame far to the flame bu,t if you placed close to the flame whether top,
side, and base it is hotthe heat is high temperature that can make
seriously burn your skin.