SEESAW CANDLE

Objective: The candle will be made to swing up and down like a seesaw just by burning its two ends.

Materials required:

Knife

Candle

Needle

Two drinking glasses

Matches

Procedure:

1. Carve away the wax at the bottom end of the candle to expose the wick.

2. Carefully push the needle through the centre of the candle.

3. Place the needle across the rims of each glass so the candle is between the glasses.

4. Light one end of the candle. After a few seconds light the other end.

The candle starts rocking like a seesaw and continues as long as both ends stay lit.

Principle:

1. The end which burns first becomes light and moves up. The flame at the other end comes to

intimate contact with the wax which accelerates the rate of burning at that end. This causes

more wax to evaporate at the later end and hence make it lighter and the process continues.

2. With every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The dropping wax from one end

imparts a reaction to the candle which pushes it upwards.

Set Up

Side A Side B

Side A Side B

Side B wick ignited. Notice the end moves up!

Side A wick ignited. Notice the end moves up and candle comes in a horizontal position

Side A Side B

Candle starts swinging like a seesaw

Side A Side B

Side A Side B