Candle Observation Activity

Candle Observation Activity Candle Observation Activity

Introduction/Purpose: Introduction/Purpose: Good observations take concentration, alertness to detail, Good observations take concentration, alertness to detail, sometimes ingenuity, and often just plain patience. It even sometimes ingenuity, and often just plain patience. It even takes some practice. Be “scientific” about observing a takes some practice. Be “scientific” about observing a candle. Should any conditions be controlled? Sometimes candle. Should any conditions be controlled? Sometimes the important conditions are difficult to discover. However an the important conditions are difficult to discover. However an experiment can be meaningless unless the conditions that experiment can be meaningless unless the conditions that matter are controlled. Why are looking at conditions matter are controlled. Why are looking at conditions important? Because they influence the object being important? Because they influence the object being observed. observed.

In this activity you will make both quantitative In this activity you will make both quantitative (measurements) and qualitative observations 1) before, 2) (measurements) and qualitative observations 1) before, 2) during and 3) after burning the candle. Use caution when during and 3) after burning the candle. Use caution when lighting the match and dispose of it properly. lighting the match and dispose of it properly.

Materials: Candle, matches, ruler, safety goggles. Materials: Candle, matches, ruler, safety goggles.

Procedure: Procedure: 1) Observe the unlit candle for a couple minutes. 1) Observe the unlit candle for a couple In your science journal, list 5 quantitative and minutes. In your science journal, list 5 5 qualitative observations about the unlit quantitative and 5 qualitative observations candle. about the unlit candle. 2) Light the candle, and let it burn for 5-15 mins. 2) Light the candle, and let it burn for 5-15 mins. Make at least 5 quantitative and 5 qualitative Make at least 5 quantitative and 5 qualitative observations in your journal. observations in your journal. 3) Draw and label a diagram of the lit candle in 3) Draw and label a diagram of the lit candle in your journal. your journal. 4) Blow out the flame. Write down at least 5 4) Blow out the flame. Write down at least 5 quantitative and 5 qualitative observations in quantitative and 5 qualitative observations in your journal describing the candle after the your journal describing the candle after the flame was blown out. flame was blown out.