A. The hydrogen of the tallow combining with the oxygen of the air, produce a “watery vapour,” which is condensed by the cold glass held above the flame.
Q. Why does our hand, held above a candle, suffer from the heat of the flame so much more, than when it is placed below the flame, or on one side of it?
A. Because the hot gases and air (in their ascent) come in contact with the hand placed above the flame: but when the hand is placed below the flame, or on one side, it only feels heat from radiation.
Q. Why is a rush light extinguished so much more quickly than a cotton-wicked candle?
A. As the rush wick is smooth and hard, the mere motion of the air (produced by carrying the candle from one place to another,) is sufficient to sever the flame from the rush.
Q. Why is it more difficult to blow out a cotton wick?
A. The cotton wick is quite full of small threads or filaments, which help to hold the flame on the wick, like the roots of a tree.
Q. Why does an extinguisher put a candle out?
A. Because the air in the extinguisher is soon exhausted of its oxygen by the flame: and when there is no oxygen to support it, the flame goes out.