Is the burning of a candle a chemical or physical change?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the burning of a candle is a chemical change or a physical change. It seeks to distinguish between the two types of changes by analyzing the process involved in burning a candle.
Answer
Both a chemical and a physical change
The burning of a candle is both a chemical and a physical change.
Answer for screen readers
The burning of a candle is both a chemical and a physical change.
More Information
When a candle burns, the wax melts, which is a physical change. Simultaneously, the wax reacts with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water vapour, indicating a chemical change.
Tips
People often mistake only the melting of wax as the burning process, forgetting that the chemical reaction producing heat and light is also a part of the process.
Sources
- Burning of a candle is a chemical as well as physical change, why? - BYJU'S - byjus.com
- Is a wax candle burning a physical or chemical change and how? - Quora - quora.com
- Combustion and burning - High School Energy - ACS - highschoolenergy.acs.org
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