Caption:
We see oxidation/combustion all the time. The candles are burning because there is suitable heat, fuel and oxygen available. To ignite the candles we often use matches which are chemically designed to strike with friction and lower heat. The flame can be transfered to the wick of the birthday candles, but remember it is the vapors that are burning... not the candle. The candle wick is the fuel and once the candle burns down the flame will be extinguished. Photo by Rhonda Spidell
