Science Fair Project - Ms. Hannah Newman
February 19, 2010

 

On January 22, 2010 I received following email from Hannah's Mom:

Fran-

My daughter is doing a science fair project involving candle burn rates and needs to have pillar candles of at least three different diameters (but same wax used and *same wick size*).  Would you be able to make such candles?  She would need three of each of the three sizes.  I am assuming that would be 3 each of 2", 3", and 4" diameter candles.  (Smaller or intermediate diameters would be okay as well.)  They would need to be at least 3" high.  Color does not matter as long as they are all the same.  Please let me know if you would be able to do something like this, and what the timeframe would be.  Thanks!

Lora

 

On Feb 18, 2010 I received photo and results from Hannah about the Science Fair:

 

Mr. Banaszewski,

Thanks for the candles! My project got a second place ribbon. I attached a picture of me with my board. I found out that the smallest (2- inch diameter) candles have the fastest burning rate. The 2 other candles had exactly the same burning rate as each other. My project report is attached. Thanks!

Hannah

 

 

Burn, Candles, Burn!

Hannah Newman - Grade 3

Question: How does the diameter of a candle change the burning rate?

Hypothesis: The candle with the smallest diameter will burn the fastest,
because a bigger diameter makes candles burn more slowly.

Materials:

bullet

3 candles with a 2-inch diameter, 24-ply wick (average wick for a 3-inch diameter candle,
all wicks must be the same), about 3 1/2 inches tall,
3 candles with a 3-inch diameter, 24-ply wick, about 3 1/2 inches tall,
3 candles with a 4-inch diameter, 24-ply wick, about 3 1/2 inches tall,

digital ( ounces\grams ) scale, area without drafts or disturbances (preferably with table),

wood matches, small candle, (optional, for lighting candles), watch, aluminum foil.

Procedure:

1. Take 3 candles, 1 with a 2-inch diameter, 1 with a 3-inch diameter, and 1 with a 4-inch diameter,
and put them on pieces of aluminum foil.
2. Weigh the candles with the foil, but weigh each candle separately from the other candles. Write down the weights.
3.  Put the candles on the foil, and put them in the area without drafts or disturbances.
4. Light the candles, and check the time on the watch. Write the time down.
Check the time on the watch every once in a while, and after 3 hours, put out the candles.
5. Weigh the candles, and write down the weight.
6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 with the other 6 candles.

Variables: Manipulated Variable: The diameter of the candle.

Controls: Time I allow the candles to burn, temperature of the place the candles are,
amount of drafts and disturbances (preferably none), wick size.

Responding variable: Weight change.

Results: The 2-inch diameter candle had the fastest burning rate.
I noticed that the other two candles lost exactly the same amount as each other every time.
A chart, with my full results, is below.

Bibliography:

Personal communication with Fran Banaszewski of Fran's Candles.

I used lots of different websites. Here are a few examples:

 http://www.wonderquest.com/hair-color-candles.htm

www.paramold.com/

www.apwicks.com/

http://www.ask.com/questions-about/Burn-Rate-Candles

http://74.125.113.132/search?q=cache:G-r41Ke5QGoJ:www.candlesupply.com/
wicks18.doc+wick+size+burning+rate&cd=52&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us