76 CHEMICAL ACTION. 



Q. Why does the flame of a CANDLE produce 

 LIGHT ? 



A. The chemical changes made by 

 combustion, excite undulations of ether, 

 which (striking the eye) produce light, 

 (see p. 46.) 



Q. Why is the FLAME of a CANDLE YELLOW? 



A.. Only the outer coat of the flame 

 is yellow ; the lower part of the flame is 

 violet; and the inside of the flame is 

 hollow. 



Q. Why is the outside of the flame YELLOW ? 



A. Because the carbon of the tallow 

 (being in a state of perfect combustion) is 

 made white-hot. 



Q. Why is the BOTTOM part PURPLE of the 

 flame of a candle ? 



A. The bottom part of the flame is 

 overladen with hydrogen, raised from 

 the tallow by the burning wick ; and 

 this half -burnt gas gives a purple tinge 

 to the flame. 



Q. Why is the INSIDE of the flame of a candle 

 HOLLOW ? 



A. Because it is filled with vapour, 

 raised from the candle by the heat of 

 the wick. 



