“Dancing” flames - candle question

wegs

wegs

Matter and Pixie Dust
Valued Senior Member
So, I enjoy lighting candles in the morning before work and a few frequently used ones, have nearly no wax left, so the wicks are no longer sticking up at the top of the candle, but are about 3/4 inch from the base.

I’ve been noticing that the flames “dance” more now, than when the candle was new, and the wicks burned at the top. My ceiling fan and air conditioning are both off at this time of day, so there is very little air movement(?) when the candles are lit. What is causing the flames to dance like this? If you were to see them, you’d think I have the windows open on a windy day.

I would think that the reaction would be different if the wicks were closer to the base, than from the top of the candle. I’m confused; any thoughts to this?

*I should add that these candles are “jar candles,” not stick candles that are placed in holders. Example:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0332/6204/3181/products/FallCemeteryCandle_720x.png?v=1659651513
 
Last edited:
C C said:
Perhaps the effect of hot air in a jar. The flame of a candle burning in such generates its own convection or air flow disturbances. More pronounced the lower it gets in the container.

_
Click to expand...
Interesting!! I can’t find much on it - the Google search results turn up several queries about “exploding candles.”
 
wegs said:
My ceiling fan and air conditioning are both off at this time of day, so there is very little air movement(?) when the candles are lit. What is causing the flames to dance like this?
Click to expand...
External air flow may be at a minimum but the rising heat from the flame produces its own air circulation. And when the wick is surrounded by a barrier inside which some of the warm air wants to rise and cooler air needs to flow in to take its place, you will get a chaotic, shifting flow. Thus, dancing flame.

EDIT: Didn't see C C beat me to it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top