Experiment Overview

This experiment investigates the interactions between a perfume, a lit candle, and water, focusing on both physical and chemical reactions. Throughout the experiment, you'll observe the effects of evaporation, combustion, and solubility.

Materials Needed

• Perfume
• A glass or transparent container
• A candle
• Water
• Optional: Matches or a lighter
• Optional: Paper towel or cloth

Step-by-Step Procedure

1. Setup the Experiment: Begin by placing the lit candle in the center of a safe area and ensuring it stands upright. Next, pour water into the glass container until it is about half full.
2. Introduce the Perfume: Gently spray or pour a small amount of perfume into the air above the lit candle. Make sure not to directly spray it onto the candle itself.
3. Observe the Evaporation: As the perfume is released into the air, observe how it quickly evaporates. This process is a physical change where the liquid perfume turns into vapor.
4. Watch for Combustion: The candle flame will heat the surrounding air, and if the perfume vapor comes into contact with the candle's flame, you may notice that it ignites, producing a small flame. This is a chemical reaction where the combustible perfume vapor reacts with oxygen in the air, producing heat, light, carbon dioxide, and water vapor.
5. Observe the Interaction with Water: If some of the candle’s combustion products come into contact with the water, you might notice a few bubbles forming. This is due to the reaction of the heat with the water, where the heat from the candle can cause slight evaporation of the water.

Scientific Explanation

In this experiment, two main types of reactions take place:

• Physical Reaction: The evaporation of perfume is a physical reaction because it involves changing from liquid to gas without altering the perfume's chemical composition.
• Chemical Reaction: The burning of perfume vapor in the presence of the candle flame is a chemical reaction known as combustion. This transformation involves the combination of hydrocarbon molecules in the perfume with oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water along with energy in the form of light and heat.

Thus, this experiment serves to illustrate fundamental concepts in chemistry and physics, including phase changes, combustion, and the interaction between volatile substances and heat.