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The candle: why the wick does not burn away

Author: Michael Faraday Year: 1861 Length: 451 characters Difficulty: easy Public domain

Three explanations in a row, each broken by commas, which suits work on rhythm rather than on special keys.

Now, the only reason why the candle does not burn all down the side of the wick is, that the melted tallow extinguishes the flame. You know that a candle, if turned upside-down, so as to allow the fuel to run upon the wick, will be put out. The reason is, that the flame has not had time to make the fuel hot enough to burn, as it does above, where it is carried in small quantities into the wick, and has all the effect of the heat exercised upon it.

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About this text

Faraday explains why a candle does not burn away down its side: the melted fuel puts the flame out. Turn the candle upside down and the fuel floods the wick, so the flame goes out at once. The cup of melted fuel at the top of the candle is the centre of his whole explanation. He gave these talks at the Royal Institution in the winter of 1860 and 1861, where he was director of the laboratory.

About this text

Faraday explains why a candle does not burn away down its side: the melted fuel puts the flame out. Turn the candle upside down and the fuel floods the wick, so the flame goes out at once. The cup of melted fuel at the top of the candle is the centre of his whole explanation. He gave these talks at the Royal Institution in the winter of 1860 and 1861, where he was director of the laboratory.

What it trains

Three explanations in a row, each broken by commas, which suits work on rhythm rather than on special keys.

Public domain

Copyright has expired or never applied, so anyone can copy the text and use it further.

Source: domena publiczna, Project Gutenberg

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