Why burning a candle is both physical and chemical change and burning a paper is chemical change only?

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Solution

Dear student, 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. Also, as the wax melts, the size of the candle decreases. It then solidifies and takes a different shape. 2) Chemical Change The wax acts as a fuel when we light the candle and is basically carbon. The carbon combines with oxygen to form another chemical substance, carbon dioxide and water. Also the unburnt carbon is deposited as black substance called soot. This signifies a chemical change. Whereas burning a paper will form Ash which is the change of state of paper. Hence it is a chemical change. Thanks and regards

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