Are you mesmerized by that flickering candle flame? Here's a chance to learn some cool trivia about it. There are three colors in the flame and each color occupies a region. The blue region is closest to the wax. Filled with oxygen, it starts the process of wax hydrogen and carbon vaporization.
Hovering above the blue is the dark orange-brownish region. Unlike the bottom area, this region has very little oxygen and it helps break the carbon down further. Most of what you see is the bright, yellow region and this area is the source of most of the flame's intense heat.
Candle Melting Points
The melting point for paraffin wax is between 120 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
What is the melting point of soy wax?
The melting point for soy wax is between 120 and 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
Because of natural variations in wax, each candle has its own unique melting point.
MORE+
In an age where we get most of our light from sources such as electricity, batteries and even the sun, the "low tech" candle continues to be admired and desired by those who appreciate its beauty and simplicity. Although they are no longer a main source of indoor lighting, candles continue to be a top home décor item. If you've ever gazed at a burning candle and wondered "How does it do that?" We're going to reveal the science behind how it works.
Candle Burning Creates Combustion
Candles are more than just attractive décor. They also happen to be bombastic fuel generators. The hardened wax of a candle is actually made up of hydrocarbons, which, in scientific terms is a blend of hydrogen and carbon atoms. When wax comes into contact with a heating source (in this case a candle flame) it becomes a reservoir of fuel for the fire. Similar to a car's ignition, when you light the wick, it creates heat combustion, and the wax (fuel) keeps the flames burning.
What is produced when a candle burns?
The burning of a candle is always going to cause a chemical change. As it burns, it emits smoke, which is called soot. The best candle makers use materials and techniques that produce as little soot as possible. Many people prefer clean burning candles for this reason.
What Is The Purpose of the Candle Wick?
The wick of a candle serves as a conduit for connecting candle wax with the intense heat from fire. Wicks absorb melting wax caused by the high temperature of the flame. In turn, the wax evaporates during the melting process and those vapors are what feeds the continuous flame. Lead-free cotton wicks are the safest choice, and they must be just the right length for the candle to burn evenly and thoroughly with no pooling of wax.
The practice of aromatherapy uses natural plant extracts, such as essential oils, hydrosols, and carrier oils, in a variety of ways to heal the body, mind and spirit. It is the promotion and harmonization of emotional, physical and spiritual health through the application of these extracts. Aromatherapy is described as both an art and a science because it takes the knowledge of the scientific aspects of the plants and oils and combines it with the art of producing a beneficial blend. Basically, a successful aromatherapy blend is a synergy of science, art, and the practitioner’s knowledge of both, and how to apply it. Aromatherapy can be used topically and via inhalation.
Internal use of aromatherapy is essentially a branch of aromatic medicine and using aromatherapy this way is only advised by an experienced and qualified therapist, or by using products professionally formulated for internal use (e.g., capsules or tincture blends containing highly diluted essential oils).
Since time began, aromatic plants have been used in various ways to perfume and to heal. They have taken many forms such as infused oils, extracts, and distilled oils (although not necessarily in the way that we see essential oils distilled today). The ancient Egyptians revered scent in many forms, as a cosmetic, medicinal, and as part of their religious practice. The ancient Romans saw scent as a status symbol and much of Rome’s high society were known to use common plants such as lavender (Lavandula spp.) and rose (Rosa spp.) in everyday life. The Romans helped to spread the knowledge of aromatic plants throughout the Roman Empire to places such as Great Britain, which led to a wide use of aromatic plants during Medieval Europe.
However, the modern-day term of aromatherapy, or aromathérapie as it is known in French, was only devised by the French perfumer and chemist, René-Maurice Gattefossé in 1937. Gattefossé is most well-known for the incident in which he accidently burned his hand in his laboratory and plunged it a vat of lavender. To his surprise, his hand healed and did not bear the scarring he feared, if the hand had been left untreated.
Today the practice of aromatherapy incorporates the use of essential oils, hydrosols, and carrier oils for holistic healing. Aromatic oils and water are used for their therapeutic properties to heal the mind, body and spirit, returning the body to a state of equilibrium.