
Scented vs. Unscented Candle Burn Rate
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Do scented candles burn faster than plain ones? Many people assume that added fragrance changes how quickly a candle melts down. This project puts that idea to the test.
You light five unscented, five rose-scented, and five apple-scented candles. All fifteen candles have the same diameter and length from the same maker. After 30 minutes you measure how much shorter each candle got.
All three types burned at nearly the same rate. Each candle lost about 27 millimeters in 30 minutes.
Hypothesis
The hypothesis is that unscented candles burn more quickly than scented candles.
Method & Materials
You will measure the height of the candles before and after burning them for 30 minutes, and compare the reduction in the candle's length.
You will need 5 unscented candles, 5 rose scented candles, 5 apple scented candles, a ruler, a caliper, a stopwatch, and a box of matches or lighter.
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See what’s includedResults
The results showed that all candles became shorter by 25 to 30 mm in 30 minutes, with an average length of candle burned being around 27mm. This proves that the hypothesis that unscented candles burn more quickly than scented candles is false.
Why do this project?
This science project is interesting because it is a simple experiment that can be done with materials that are easily available. It also shows how the burning speed of candles is not affected by the scent.
Also Consider
Variations of this experiment can include comparing the burn rate of different colored candles, or comparing the weight of the candle instead of its height.
Full project details
Additional information and source material for this project are available below.Related video
These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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