The natural history of a candle

This is one of the most valuable exercises in science lessons at school: observing a candle. A candle reveals important principles of physics and chemistry. For example, the three states of matter can be explored, or the question of what exactly happens during combustion and which part of the candle actually burns. Is it the hard wax, the liquid or the gaseous part? What does the wick have to do with it? Where exactly does combustion take place? The teacher can also delve deeper into chemistry and ask questions about the raw materials present and the products coming out. And how can these products be detected? For example, the water vapour that flows upwards from the flame. This exercise also trains the mind to focus for a longer period of time, something that children today tend to struggle with.