Chloe Adams
Candles are a staple at birthday parties, but trick candles are a fun twist on the traditional cake-topper. These candles are designed to be difficult to blow out, often relighting themselves after being extinguished. The secret behind this seemingly magical effect is magnesium, a highly reactive metal that ignites at relatively low temperatures. This chemical reaction is what causes the candle to reignite, but it also poses a potential fire hazard. To prevent this, the flame must be starved of oxygen by dunking the candle in liquid or using a specialised extinguisher. While they may be tricky to blow out, these candles can be made at home, with video instructions widely available online.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How to extinguish a candle trick | Use baking soda and vinegar, or dunk the candle in a liquid to cut off the oxygen supply |
| How to re-light a candle trick | Use smoke to re-light the candle |
| Why are trick candles hard to blow out? | The wick contains magnesium powder, a highly reactive metal that ignites at low temperatures |
| How do trick candles work? | The flame ignites the magnesium powder, creating sparks that ignite the vaporized paraffin hydrocarbons, which re-light the wick |
| Are trick candles safe? | Experts caution that trick candles pose a fire hazard |
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What You'll Learn
Trick candles use magnesium to re-ignite
The trick to a relighting candle is to generate enough heat to ignite the escaping vapour and bring the flame back to life. To achieve this, trick candles use magnesium, the ninth most abundant element in the universe by mass. Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal that is highly flammable and ignites at temperatures as low as 800°F (430°C) when powdered or shaved into thin strips.
Powered magnesium is placed inside the wick of the candle, where it is kept cool and shielded from oxygen by the liquid wax. When the candle is blown out, the wick's ember ignites the magnesium, producing sparks that can be seen with close observation. This ignition of magnesium, in turn, relights the candle by igniting the paraffin vapour. The magnesium placed lower in the wick doesn't burn as it is protected by the paraffin.
Magnesium is used in trick candles because it is flammable at a lower temperature than other pyrophoric metals such as aluminium or iron. The use of magnesium in candles was first described in a 1983 Japanese patent titled "Self-Ignited Candle" by inventor Toshio Takahashi, who described a candle fuse made of magnesium or an alloy of magnesium with aluminium, iron, or both. A similar patent was filed in 2003 by Earl M. Stenger, who described a wind-resistant candle with a wick containing magnesium or a magnesium-aluminium blend.
To prevent a trick candle from relighting, it must be snuffed or dunked in a liquid to cut off the oxygen supply.
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Extinguish with baking soda and vinegar
Although it may seem counterintuitive, baking soda can be used to extinguish small fires. It is a versatile household staple that serves various purposes beyond its culinary use. When baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is heated, it undergoes a chemical reaction and starts to break down, producing carbon dioxide, water vapour, and carbon dioxide gas. Since carbon dioxide gas is non-flammable and denser than air, it forms a barrier over the fire, interrupting the chemical reaction and cutting off its oxygen supply. Fire needs oxygen to continue burning, so depriving it of oxygen will put it out.
Baking soda also absorbs some heat, which lowers the temperature and helps control the fire. It is important to note that while baking soda can be used to extinguish small kitchen fires, it is not a perfect solution and may not be sufficient for larger fires. In such cases, it is recommended to use a fire blanket, fire spray, or fire extinguisher instead. If the fire cannot be contained, evacuate the area and call for emergency services.
When using baking soda to extinguish a candle, ensure that you have a sufficient amount on hand, as it takes a lot of baking soda to put out even a minor fire. Sprinkle the baking soda over the candle's flame, aiming for a blanket effect that will help cool down the fire and prevent reignition. The baking soda will react with the heat of the flame, releasing carbon dioxide and smothering the fire.
Additionally, it is important to address the root cause of the fire and ensure that it is completely extinguished. In the case of a candle, this may involve removing any remaining wax or wick that could reignite. Always exercise caution and have fire safety tools readily available when performing any activity involving fire.
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Dunk in liquid to prevent re-ignition
The "eat a candle" trick is a fun and mesmerizing experiment that can be performed by adults and children alike. It involves relighting a candle from a distance without touching it, creating the illusion of eating it. To successfully perform this trick and ensure the candle does not reignite, it is crucial to understand the science behind it.
When a candle is blown out, the smoke released contains vaporized wax droplets, which are highly flammable. These vaporized wax droplets mix with oxygen and can reignite, causing the candle to relight. To prevent this, it is essential to deprive the flame of oxygen. This can be effectively achieved by dunking the candle in a liquid immediately after blowing it out.
The liquid acts as a barrier, cutting off the oxygen supply to the flame. As a result, the vaporized wax cannot ignite, and the candle remains extinguished. This method is a simple yet effective way to ensure the candle does not relight unintentionally. It is worth noting that water should not be used as a dunking liquid, as it can cause hot wax to splatter and may break glass containers.
When choosing a liquid to dunk the candle in, opt for something that is easily accessible and safe. For instance, a bowl of room-temperature water placed at a safe distance from the candle setup can be used. Ensure that the liquid is deep enough to submerge the candle completely. Additionally, it is crucial to act quickly once the candle is blown out to prevent reignition.
By understanding the science behind candle relighting and employing the dunking method, you can confidently perform the "eat a candle" trick while maintaining a safe environment. Remember to exercise caution and always prioritize fire safety when attempting any candle-related experiments.
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Magnesium ignites at 800°F (430°C)
The "how to eat a candle" trick is a fun illusion that involves a special type of candle known as a trick candle or magic candle. These candles are designed to reignite after being blown out, creating the surprise of a seemingly unexhaustible flame. The science behind this trick is centred on the ignition temperature of magnesium.
Magnesium is an alkaline earth metal that is highly flammable, especially when powdered or sliced thinly. Its high reactivity and low ignition temperature make it ideal for creating the relighting effect in trick candles. The ember from the wick provides enough heat to ignite the magnesium, which then relights the candle.
To safely perform the "how to eat a candle" trick, it is important to know how to properly extinguish a trick candle. Since the trick candle relies on the heat and oxygen supply to relight, cutting off the oxygen supply or cooling the ember can prevent reignition. This can be done by snuffing out the flame, dunking the candle in a liquid, or using an extinguisher made from baking soda and vinegar.
While the "how to eat a candle" trick is entertaining, it is important to be cautious. The simple fun of these candles should not detract from the potential fire hazards they pose. Always exercise caution when handling any flammable materials and ensure proper supervision, especially when performing the trick around children.
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History of trick candles
The history of trick candles, also known as magic candles, is a bit murky. It is challenging to pinpoint a single inventor of trick candles. However, we can trace some relevant patents filed across the globe. In 1983, Toshio Takahashi filed a patent in Japan for a "Self-Ignited Candle," employing magnesium or other metals. A similar patent was filed in the US in 2003 by Earl M. Stenger, who created a wind-resistant candle with magnesium-infused wick fibres.
Trick candles have been a source of fascination and entertainment at parties, especially birthday celebrations. The novelty of relighting candles after they have been blown out never seems to fade. The secret behind this magic lies in the use of magnesium, a highly reactive metal. When the candle is lit, the flame melts the wax and ignites the magnesium powder in the wick. Even after being blown out, the magnesium continues to burn at a lower temperature, igniting the wax vapour and causing the candle to relight.
The concept of trick candles has evolved, and inventors continue to experiment with different variations. For instance, some inventors are exploring the idea of coloured-flame candles, which involve incorporating metal salts. However, concerns have been raised about the potential toxicity of metal oxide emissions from these candles, leading to a cautious approach by some companies.
While trick candles offer a unique twist to celebrations, they have also sparked safety concerns. The National Candle Association has warned about the potential fire hazards associated with these candles. In fact, trick candles have been banned in Canada since 1977 due to safety reasons. Despite the risks, trick candles remain a popular choice for those seeking a touch of magic and spontaneity at their gatherings.
The science behind trick candles showcases how even simple acts, like blowing out a candle, can be infused with fascinating scientific principles. The distribution of magnesium powder and its ignition temperature play a crucial role in the candle's relighting mechanism. This interplay between chemistry and everyday objects captivates audiences and keeps the popularity of trick candles burning bright.
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Frequently asked questions
You can't eat a candle, but you can eat the food that the candle is on, such as a cake. To do this, you need to snuff out the trick candle or dunk it in liquid to cut off the oxygen supply so the flame can't reignite.
Trick candles are made with a wick that contains powdered magnesium, a highly reactive metal that ignites at relatively low temperatures. When the flame is blown out, the hot embers from the wick ignite the magnesium, which then relights the wick.
To stop a trick candle from re-lighting, you need to cut off its oxygen supply. You can do this by either snuffing out the flame or dunking the candle in a liquid.
