Hello! Today we'll explore where flames are hottest. A flame is created when fuel reacts with oxygen from the air, producing heat and light. Different parts of the flame have different temperatures. The blue part at the bottom is usually the hottest, while the yellow and red parts are cooler. Let's discover why this happens!
For combustion to happen, we need three things: fuel, oxygen, and enough heat to start the reaction. The fuel can be candle wax vapor or gas. Oxygen comes from the air around us. When fuel and oxygen mix in just the right proportions, the combustion is most complete and produces the highest temperature. This creates both heat and light that we see as a flame.
There are two main types of flames: blue flames and yellow flames. Blue flames occur when there's plenty of oxygen for complete combustion. They burn at higher temperatures, around 1400 to 1650 degrees Celsius. Yellow flames happen when oxygen is limited, causing incomplete combustion. They contain tiny carbon particles that glow yellow and burn at lower temperatures, around 1000 degrees Celsius. The blue flame is hotter because the fuel burns more efficiently.
In a real flame, temperature varies in different zones. Near the wick, fuel vapor rises up. The inner blue zone has plenty of oxygen and burns hottest at around 1500 degrees Celsius. The middle yellow zone has partial combustion at about 1000 degrees. The outer red zone is cooler at around 600 degrees. Air flows in from the sides to feed the combustion, and hot gases rise from the top. The hottest point is usually at the tip of the blue flame zone where fuel and oxygen mix perfectly.
Now you understand the secret of flame temperatures! Blue flames are the hottest at around 1500 degrees Celsius, while yellow flames are cooler at about 1000 degrees. The hottest point is at the tip of the blue flame where fuel and oxygen mix perfectly for complete combustion. Remember: when fuel and oxygen combine in the right proportions, they create the highest temperatures. Whether it's a candle flame or a gas burner, look for the blue zone to find the hottest part. Always remember to observe flames safely with adult supervision!