This experiment is often done and is always a lot of fun. During this science lesson it promoted a lot of discussion about what we thought was happening.
What to do:
- Stick a candle onto a plate with plasticine.
- Pour some coloured water onto the plate.
- Light the candle.
- Carefully lower a jar over the top.
- Observe what happens.
What we observed:
- The water was slowly sucked into the jar.
- The candle slowly went out.
- When the candle went out the smoke went straight up.
- When the candle went out lots of water was quickly sucked up into the jar.
- There were some bubbles around the jar as the water was sucked in.
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Carefully lower the jar over the candle. |
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What can you see happening? |
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This small candle burnt for a long time. |
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Wow - lots of the water has been sucked up into the jar. |
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This little candle worked the best. |
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We could see some bubbles around the jar. |
Click on this
link to find out why this happens.