Chemical Change of Candle




 

Paraffin, the main ingredient of candles

Paraffin, the main ingredient of candles, is alkane hydrocarbons in which 20 to 40 carbon atoms are linked in a chain. It does not dissolve in water as a polar solvent but dissolves well in non-polar solvents such as ether or benzene. It is made from the petrochemical process.

Burning of candles

The combustion of the matter is the process of combining with oxygen, releasing light and heat. The material becomes an entirely different material after combustion.
Paraffin is composed of carbon and hydrogen. When carbon is burned, carbon dioxide is produced. When hydrogen is burned, water is produced.