Student: Nancy Desai Partner(s): Suzanne Jensen Christina Koryluk Corinne Nantel Nicole Osmundsen Class: Chemistry

Date of Completion of Lab Work: 9/21/06 Report Submission Date: 9/ /06 Period: 1 &2 Lab#: 2

Observations of a Burning Candle Whether working in a laboratory, or traveling the world in search of information, observations that a scientist makes are very crucial to the experiment. Observations help the scientist to determine what conditions to control in a later experiment on the subject. Therefore, it is very important for a student of chemistry to have the ability and understand the importance of an accurate observation. To ensure safety, goggles were worn, and the flaming candle was placed a safe distance away. At the beginning of the lab, students were paired off in groups of four, and given a lab table to work on. They were then given a plain white candle on a palate. After approval from the teacher, the students then were to light a match and allow the wick of the candle to catch fire. When the candle was safely lit, it was allowed to burn for approximately five minutes, during which the students were to make observations on a piece of notebook paper. When the given time had passed, the students then blew out the flame and then made more observations of the candle on his/her paper. The resulting observations were made while the candle was burning, as well as when it was put out. 1) The candle is 195 mm. or 19.5cm 2) The candle is white 3) The burning candle gives off a distinct burning smell 4)The flame is pointed upwards and is about 40mm or 4.0cm tall. 5) The flame is a darker orange at the bottom, and progresses into a bright orange 6) The top of the candle glows a similar orange color from the reflection of the light from the flame 7) The flame often flickers and sways 8) The wick is a charred back 9) The bottom of the candle is ashy. 10) After blowing it out, the candle is 192mm or 19.2 cm. 11) No wax could be seen dripping down the side of the candle during the course of this experiment 12) The flame burned the curve located at the top of the candle into a more hollow shape. 13) The smell from the candle lingers after the candle has been blown out. 14) The candle itself is not hot or even warm during the course of the experiment. After the experiment had been concluded, students were told to answer a series of questions. Questions:

1) List the conditions which existed in the room during the burning of the candle. The conditions of the room were approximately normal. The temperature was room temperature which is about 20-25 E Celsius and 68-77 E Fahrenheit. There was a slight breeze because some windows were open. The lights in the classroom were also turned on. 2) Which of these conditions may have had an important effect on the way in which the candle burned? Circle the numbers of these observations. A condition that may have had an effect on how the candle burned is the slight breeze. The breeze caused the flame to sway and flicker. * See observations on bottom 3) Which of these conditions may have had little or no effect on the burning of the candle? Put an X next to the numbers of these observations. Conditions that had little or no effect on the burning of the candle was the lighting in the room. Also, the height and the color of the candle did not affect the burn rate. *see observations on the bottom 4) If you wanted to make a careful study of the burning of the candle, which conditions would you control? List the conditions of your experiment The conditions of the experiment would be constant from all aspects. The temperature would be controlled, as well as the pressure. The windows would all be shut to prevent any drafts from affecting the candle flame. The candles would all be lit at exactly the same time, and the type of candle would be the same. Observations: 1) The candle is 195 mm. or 19.5cm 2) The candle is white 3) The burning candle gives off a distinct burning smell 4)The flame is pointed upwards and is about 40mm or 4.0cm tall. 5) The flame is a darker orange at the bottom, and progresses into a bright orange 6) The top of the candle glows a similar orange color from the reflection of the light from the flame 7) The flame often flickers and sways 8) The wick is a charred back 9) The bottom of the candle is ashy 10) After blowing it out, the candle is 192mm or 19.2 cm. 11) No wax could be seen dripping down the side of the candle during the course of this experiment 12) The flame burned the curve located at the top of the candle into a more hollow shape. 13) The smell from the candle lingers after the candle has been blown out. 14) The candle itself is not hot or even warm during the course of the experiment