Research

• The speed at which a candle burns is not determined by its colour, but by its composition.

• The three main types of candles are paraffin, beeswax and soy.

• There are many variables that affect the burning time: the quality of the wick, the composition of the candle, as well as the size of the candle.

• Black absorbs light, along with heat. Unlike white, which reflects heat and light.
  
  
• A candle is a solid block of fuel (commonly wax) and an embedded wick, which is lit to provide light and sometimes heat.
  
  
• Today, most candles are made from paraffin.
  
  
• Candles can also be made from beeswax, soy other plant waxes, and tallow.
  
  
• Tallows are by-product of beef-fat rendering. (below)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Gel candles are made from a mixture of paraffin and plastic.
  
  
• Paraffin is from crude petroleum.
  
  
• A flame is a glowing mixture of gases called combustion. The gases contain oxygen combined with some of the following: hydrogen, carbon monoxide, or hydrocarbon.
  
  
• A candle flame has 3 separate zones.
  1. The first and innermost zone is composed of air/gas mixture, very low temp.
  2. The second zone has hydrogen and carbon monoxide reacting with the oxygen from surrounding air and forms water and carbon dioxide. The temperature is about 590 degrees celsius. The bright yellow light is created by the carbon action.
  3. The third section is mostly invisible to us. It is the fumes.
  
  
  

  INFORMATION FROM..

  
  
  
  
  

  Wales, J. (2001) Wikipedia [Internet]. USA. Available from:<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candle>[accessed 16th March, 2011].

  
  

  Acton, J. (1994) Encyclopedia.com [Internet]. Available from:<http://www.encyclopedia.com/topic/Candles.aspx>

  [accessed 16th March, 2011].

  
  

  Knight, C. (1999) Ezine @rticles [Internet]. Available from:<http://ezinearticles.com/?Basic-Candle-Information&id=3345264>[accessed 16th March, 2011].

  
  

  (1974) National Candle Association [Internet]. USA. Available from:<http://www.candles.org/about_facts.html>[accessed 17th March, 2011].

  
  

  Fuller, B. (1996) CandleHome.com [Internet]. Bellevue, WA, USA. Available from:<http://www.candlehome.com/>[accessed 17th March, 2011].

  
  

  Smith, J. (2002) My Craft Book [Internet]. USA. Available from:<http://www.mycraftbook.com/Candle_Wax.asp>[accessed 17th March, 2011].

  
  

  Harrison, S. (2002)Soyphisticated Candles [Internet]. Mason City, Lowa, USA. Available from:<http://www.soyphisticatedcandles.com/fyi.html>[accessed 17th March, 2011]