Jumping Flames

Approximate Time to Complete: 5 Minutes + Questions & Journal Time

Experiment Card

Click below to download and print this experiment card:

About This Experiment

You are going to try to get a flame to “jump” from a lighter to a candle wick without touching the wick.

You’ll Learn

• How candles use wax as fuel (phase changes from solid to liquid to gas).
• What smoke is made of.

Pre-Experiment Questions

• What part of a candle is burning? (Light a candle and look closely).

Materials

• Candle
• Long lighter
• Contained fireproof surface

Safety Considerations

This experiment should be performed by an adult. This experiment involves open flames. Avoid burns. Wear protective glasses and gloves. Wear fire-resistant clothing. Conduct this experiment outside or under a properly ventilated lab hood. Do not conduct this experiment near flammable substances or objects. A fire extinguisher and first aid equipment should be available and within reach. Follow all other general safety procedures. Perform this experiment at your own risk.

Procedure

Part 1

• Put your candle on the fireproof surface. 
• Light your lighter, and hold the flame near the candlewick without touching it.
  • Did it light the candle? 

Part 2

• Light your lighter, and touch the flame to the wick.
  • Did it light the candle?

Part 3

• Light your candle if it is not already lit. Let it burn for 60 seconds.
• Blow it out.
  • What did you see?

Part 4

• Light your candle again, and let it burn for 60 seconds.
• Light your lighter.
• Blow the candle out, and quickly put the lighter flame near the candle, but not touching it. You want it to be in the line of smoke coming from the candle.
  • What did you see? Try it a few more times and watch the flame closely.

Questions & Further Research

Use these questions as a guide to write a journal entry, make a poster, give a presentation, or write a research report about your experiment or a related topic.

1. What part of a candle flame is burning?
   • Hint: Is it the wick, the liquid wax, the solid wax, or the wax gas?
2. What kind of wax is your candle made out of? Would this demonstration work with a different kind of candle wax like soy or beeswax?
3. How far can a flame jump? Does it depend on the amount of smoke? The size of the candle? Something else?
4. Do jumping candle flames have any “real-world” applications other than being a cool trick?
5. Go to the answer key to learn more about how this experiment works.