Is burning a candle endothermic or exothermic?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking whether the process of burning a candle absorbs heat (endothermic) or releases heat (exothermic). To answer this, we will consider the chemical reactions that occur when a candle burns and the nature of heat flow in this reaction.

More Information

Burning a candle involves a combustion reaction, which releases heat and light, making it an exothermic process.

Tips

A common mistake is to confuse the melting of candle wax, which is endothermic, with the burning of the candle, which is exothermic.

Sources

• Why is lighting a candle an exothermic reaction? - byjus.com
• Is burning a candle endothermic or exothermic? - homework.study.com