Simple chemical reactions: how do candles work? | 11-14 years

A macro photograph of a lighted candle, showing the flame and a pool of wax around the wick

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Clarify the ideas of burning, melting and evaporating with your students and tackle some misconceptions about candles with this lesson plan for 11–14 year olds.

Beginning with a practical demonstration and activity, students explore what happens when a candle burns. This context is used as a means to focus their thinking and discussion about burning.

The activities in this lesson plan are designed to deal explicitly with any confusion that may exist between the ideas of burning, melting and evaporating. In particular, the lesson provides the opportunity to check on some misconceptions about how candles work, and what happens to the wax when a candle burns.

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