The Science of the Candle Wick

The candle’s wick is the pipeline that feeds the melted wax vapor to the flame by capillary action. Initially the heat of the flame melts the wax at the top of the candle, once the melt pool is formed the molten wax is then drawn to the flame by the capillary action of the wick. Once the wax reaches the wick a chemical reaction occurs between the vaporized hydrocarbons and the oxygen in the air.

When you take a look at the candle’s flame you will notice that the flame is nearly invisible near the wick and a yellow luminous zone surrounds it. It is near the wick that the wax vapors are breaking down releasing hydrogen and as a result, long unsaturated carbon chains are formed. These carbon chains are actually tiny particles of soot. It is these tiny soot particles that burn and release the yellow light of the candles’ flames. If there is enough oxygen and not too much wax vapor being created at the wick, the soot particles are completely burned up in the flame and the candle releases only heat, light, water and carbon dioxide. If there isn’t enough oxygen and too much vapor the flame is going to release the soot and not fully combust causing the wick to bloom (mushroom).

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