Burning of a Candle and the Three States of Wax
Wax is a mixture of various hydrocarbons. Organic compounds made of hydrogen
and carbon are known as hydrocarbons. In the burning of wax, three states of
matter can be observed simultaneously. There is a thin liner inside the wax.
When we add fire to it, the hydrocarbon particles around the liner melt into
liquid. The liquid wax absorbs heat and vaporizes first. Then the vaporized
wax starts a reaction with oxygen of the air and produces carbon dioxide,
water vapor, light, and heat.
A portion of the liquid wax remains and turns solid again. Thus, in the
presence of heat, we see three states of wax.
