Chemistry The Shadow of the Flame and other Hands-on Experiments with a Candle   The Shadow of the Flame     Subject Chemistry, Biology and Physics Level Upper secondary Language English Type Experiments   A collection of experiments on the candle taken from the book «The Chemical History of a Candle» by Faraday, and based on early work by Leonardo Da Vinci: A candle: its flame and its cup Why are the edges much cooler than the part within? The wick and the capillarity The dark «shadow» of the bright flame, how to see the ascending current of Hot air using the sun or an overhead projector light: comparison between Fadaray’s and Leonardo’s description. The flame is hollow. Three flame effects: water production up, soot in the middle; and wax vapour down. Carbon dioxide progressively puts out three candle flames How to take soot from a candle with a “caress” and with the trick of the cork? Soot moustaches. The candle catches fire again. Mechanical and magnetic action on a candle. Analogy between respiration of livings and the flame of a candle.     Contact details   Name Pietro Cerreta Email pietro.cerreta@tin.it       Last update: 2 July 2007 More Chemistry Teaching Ideas  •  DNA Extraction from Kiwi Fruit (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMJHQC4VUE_0.html)  •  How does Toothpast work? (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMC6RC4VUE_0.html)  •  Teaching Science and Humanities (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMBXOC4VUE_0.html)  •  ICT in Chemistry (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMTNY9RR1F_0.html)  •  The Particularities of Chemistry Teaching in Luxembourg (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMC41ARR1F_0.html)  •  Web Chemistry: Sweeteners (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEM4P2ARR1F_0.html)  •  Looking for Antioxidant Food (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEM3F4ARR1F_0.html)  •  Discovering an Accessible Enzyme (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEM0O4ARR1F_0.html)  •  Natural Antibiotics (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMOW4ARR1F_0.html)  •  Some Simple Demonstrations in Classroom (http://www.esa.int/SPECIALS/Science_on_Stage/SEMJFC8OY2F_0.html) Download  •  The Shadow of the Flame PDF (http://esamultimedia.esa.int/docs/scienceonstage/IT_Cerreta_Shadow _flame.pdf)