Im doing a science project on it.. i know its a terrible idea but does anybody know if they do? Like are there chemicals in scented candles that change their speed of burning?
Asked by:*Total Gleek*
Do Scented Candles Burn at the Same Speed Rate as Unscented Candles?
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It’s not a terrible idea – but you are going to have to get some candles where the only difference is the smell- that is same height, weight, wick size etc
And isn’t that the idea – to burn the things and test it, make your own experiment? Record what you find, results don’t have to agree with what you set out to prove – just have to be accurate.
unfortunately, it’s a somewhat general question (not a bad one).
Not all candles are made the same way, with the same compounds. dyes, scents, etc.
So even if you have two unscented candles of the same dimensions, they may burn differentlt. Even minute differences in wick length, placement, wind drafts, etc might affect burn rate.
That issue is even more pronounced when you talk about scented candles because two scented candles, even the same scent, from different makers may have completely different compounds.
So, you may have one vanilla candle with compounds that cause it to burn faster than a “normal” candle, and one that might burn slower.
What I would do if I were you, is pick a scent, and then from that line of candles, get several normal and severeal of the scent. Then pick another line, and repeat. (at least two of each grouping).
Then burn them for set periods of time…average the unscented of brand a, and the scented of brand a, and the same for brand b, then look at whether you see patterns.
Just keep in mind that you should not suggest your experiment conclusively shows an answer, amd should make note that different candles are made differently, and may burn differently.
I would consider several approaches to this problem.
The main problem is that how fast a candle burns is quite variable, based on the wick, how much the wick turns to ash or remains structurally intact, and how much wax is lost in drips down the side of the candle. It would also be affected by the type of wax, and other variabliable
The best way would be to make your own candles with identical wicks, and identical wax. One scented, and one unscented. I’d make it very wide, so that dripping wax would be less of a factor. I would want to experiment with the wick string, so that it was suitable for the experiment.
You might be able to get wicks and wax at a candle store, or a craft store.