Question

Burning of a candle is both a physical and a chemical changes. Why?

Answer 1

Dear Student

Burning of candle is both a physical change as well as a chemical change. Candle is made up of a solid block of wax with a wick embedded in it.

1) Physical Change

When candle is lit, the heat of the flame melts the solid wax to liquid wax. This signifies a physical change from solid state to liquid state.

2) Chemical Change

The wax acts as a fuel when we light the candle and is basically a chemical substance called carbon. The carbon combines with oxygen to form another chemical substance called carbon dioxide, heat and light. Also the unburnt carbon is deposited as black substance called soot. This signifies a chemical change.

Regards