Related Sections: Space
Alien effects: Lighting a candle in space
When you're floating around in the International Space Station, you're constantly reminded that you're having a literally out-of-this-world experience. Case in point: this is what it looks like when you light a candle in microgravity.
Because of the lack of gravity, the air's density is the same in all directions, so that means the heat disperses evenly, making the flame all the same color. Wow.
Via TechEBlog
By Mr. Gumsandals at 3:37 PM ON 10/07/09
Space is weird.
By Jumper at 5:37 PM ON 10/07/09
The space flame looks cool but does not give out as much light as its earth counterpart.
By jay trini at 6:52 PM ON 10/07/09
Very Interesting
By PTRICKY at 9:33 PM ON 10/07/09
problem with: "lack of gravity"
reason: anyone from Mr. Endres 8th grade science class could tell you there is plenty of gravity in orbit. You meant to say "weightlessness" or "zero gravity"
problem with: "making the flame all the same color"
reason: any kid who has seen a camp fire can tell you color is determined by temperature. or at least thats what they think, and they're right. anyway, the equal dispersal of heat gives the sphere shape, not the color.
I'd be interested to know why the flame is so cool, probably has to do with the composition of 'air' on the space station. Any ideas?
By Brick at 10:15 PM ON 10/07/09
nothing but straigh up oxygen being pumped through there i'd venture to guess.. but it's only a guess. maybe something in the composition of our O2's "contaminates" makes up the higher burn quality??? again no idea just an idea.. bred of many sleepless hours and coffee lol.
By Chcklstheclwn at 12:30 AM ON 10/08/09
the flame is indeed blue because of the high oxygen. Most likely the candle being burnt has a low carbon count so no yellow or orange color.
By roshinobi at 1:39 PM ON 10/08/09
If you're gonna go after Charlie White with technicalities, PTRICKY, you should note that "weightlessness" is no more true than "zero gravity." Everything in the space station is still exerting a downward force (aka weight), otherwise they wouldn't be able to be in orbit and would be lost in space.
I guess the best term to go with is "freefall."
By Upthorn at 8:48 PM ON 10/10/09
Uh. Temperature and heat are the same thing. The flame is at the same temperature in all places because of the even heat dispersal. Hence all one color.
By MEKANIK at 12:36 AM ON 10/11/09
PTRICKY if you want to give a smart answer please take the time to think it through first. any kid could tell you that.
By MEKANIK at 12:38 AM ON 10/11/09
PTRICKY if you want to give a smart answer please take the time to think it through first. any kid could tell you that.
By geargail at 1:46 PM ON 10/16/09
There's no such thing as a really smart answer... eventually, something comes along and debunks why things are normal... becomes not-so-right after all. (( Just those intellectuals and satire humor jokes about making star trek jokes about graviity.))
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