Candle Defying Gravity

Discover Water and Atmospheric Pressure with a Simple Candle Experiment!

Have you ever seen water defy gravity? Blink and you'll miss it! With a few household materials, you can demonstrate how atmospheric pressure works in a quick and fun way. This experiment shows how air pressure can magically pull water up into a cup!

VIDEO TUTORIAL: Flying Candle!

Materials You’ll Need

• Water – enough to fill a tray

• Candle – a small one, like a tea light

• Alcohol (such as rubbing alcohol) – a small amount for spraying

• Tray – to catch spills and hold the water

• Clear cup – a glass or plastic cup that can hold water

• Matches or a lighter (for lighting the candle; ensure adult supervision)

Step-by-Step Tutorial

1. Prepare Your Setup: Fill the tray with enough water to submerge the bottom of the cup. Ensure the tray is placed on a stable surface.

2. Spray the Cup: Take the clear cup and spray the inside with a small amount of alcohol. Swirl it around to coat the interior and then pour out any excess alcohol.

3. Place the Candle: Set the candle in the center of the tray with water.

4. Light the Candle: Carefully light the candle using matches or a lighter. Make sure to do this step safely and with adult supervision if needed.

5. Invert the Cup: Quickly but carefully, invert the clear cup over the lit candle, placing the open end down onto the candle. Make sure the candle is fully covered by the cup.

6. Watch the Water Rise: After a few moments, you will notice that the water begins to rise into the cup! Observe how it fills the space inside the cup.

   
   

The Science Behind It

This experiment beautifully demonstrates the principles of water and atmospheric pressure:

1. Heat and Air Pressure: When the candle is lit, it heats the air inside the cup, causing the air to expand and some of it to escape. As the candle consumes oxygen, the air pressure inside the cup decreases.

2. Atmospheric Pressure in Action: The atmospheric pressure outside the cup is greater than the pressure inside the cup. This difference in pressure causes the higher-pressure water from the tray to push into the cup, rising up against gravity.

   
   

This water and atmospheric pressure experiment is a fantastic way to visualize the power of air pressure and understand how it interacts with water. Enjoy seeing the magical effects of atmospheric pressure!