Part 18 (2/2)
A. Because the heat of the flame is _not sufficient to consume the wick_; and the _longer_ the wick grows, the _less heat_ the flame produces.
Q. _Why do WAX CANDLES NEVER need SNUFFING?_
A. The wick of _wax_ candles is made _of very fine thread_, which the heat of the flame is sufficient to consume: but the wick of _tallow_ candles is made _of coa.r.s.e cotton_, which is too substantial to be consumed by the heat of the flame, and must be cut off by _snuffers_.
Q. _Why does a PIN, stuck in a RUSH-LIGHT, EXTINGUISH it?_
A. Because a _pin_ (being a good conductor), _carries away the heat of the flame from the wick_, and prevents the combustion of the tallow.
Q. _What is the SMOKE of a CANDLE?_
A. Solid particles of carbon separated from the wick and tallow, but not consumed.
Q. _Why are SOME particles consumed and not OTHERS?_
A. The _combustion of the carbon_ depends upon its _combining with the oxygen of the air_: but as the outer surface of the flame _prevents the access of air to the interior parts_, therefore much of the carbon of those parts pa.s.ses off in smoke.
Q. _Why do LAMPS SMOKE?_
A. Either because the _wick is cut unevenly_, or else because _it is turned up too high_.
Q. _Why does a LAMP SMOKE when the WICK is cut UNEVENLY?_
A. 1st--Because the _points of the jagged edge_ (being very easily separated from the wick,) _load the flame with more carbon than it can consume_: and
2ndly--As the heat of the flame is _greatly diminished by these bits of wick_, it is unable to consume _even the usual quant.i.ty of smoke_.
Q. _Why does a LAMP SMOKE when the WICK is turned up too HIGH?_
A. Because more carbon is separated from the wick _than can be consumed by the flame_.
Q. _Why do not ”Argand burners” smoke?_
A. Because a current of air pa.s.ses through the _middle of the flame_; and therefore the carbon of the _interior_ is consumed, as well as that _in the outer coating of the flame_.
Q. _Why does a LAMP-GLa.s.s DIMINISH the SMOKE of a lamp?_
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