Answering Fan Questions About Photons, Fire & Gravity Waves

[@StarTalk]

If gravitational waves are ripples in space-time from massive cosmic events, what other phenomena could we observe through these waves that might deepen our understanding of the universe's structure?

[@jacobfoster9185]

Thank you for sharing this with us. I really enjoy these. RE; terence howard video. I think that this is a classic example of confirmation bias. Insofar as his apparent inability to accept even the slightest disagreement with his stated position regardless of whether that point/critique/information etc is valid or coming from a place of respect and enthusiasm for the topic.

[@FeixMLB]

Perhaps we could detect the creation of heavy atoms being formed in the cores of Neutron stars. I suppose that change of the gravitational waves frequency could maybe be sent by the lost mass during the explosion or even the novas if those types of stars have such cycles ( I need to check to make sure if they have nova cycles). Another way could be by observing nearly dying black holes to see how the hawking radiation works in the lifetime. I predict that hawking radiation rate changes throughout the life of black holes but I see this being extremely difficult or even impossible to detect as black holes that are easier have way longer lifespams than the universe's age.

[@anthonyhiggins7409]

I’m pretty certain I have caused a cosmetic event after eating too much veg.

[@cabbage_cat]

If it's a ripple, can it bounce back after it hit something?

[@michaelccopelandsr7120]

I've BEEN posting a story about working in the subway and noticing a "time paradox." Here... Time is fascinating. I worked the subway stations for nearly 10 years. From one end of the city to the other. Every so often I would notice the city would be saying that, "Today just flew by" or "The day was just dragging along." How can an entire city, with no interaction with each other until they used the subway, complain about the same time paradox? Unless they were all effected by the same outside, "interference." MAYBE a time distorted bubble the earth passes through in its revolution around the sun. MAYBE they're the effects of gravitational waves. Either side of the wave effecting time just enough for we humans to notice. Making time seem to drag on the upside and fly by on the downslope. Or, vice versa. MAYBE they're given off by the sun. MAYBE they're from outside our Solar system and reach us in intervals. ???? 🎶Ti-i-i-ime, is on my side. Yes, it is!🎶 If you can think of a better way to do a blind survey of an entire city, in the small window of opportunity, I'm all in. Until then, I invite you to spend a couple years in the subways during rush hour and you'll see for yourself. Just listen as an entire city gets off of work and gets out of school. You'll see it's more than a, "coincidence of circumstances."

[@SiqueScarface]

I am 54, and I still had candles on my birthday cake. Five on the left, and four on the right.

[@7733n]

i'm over here celebrating my 21st for the nth time.

[@estebandevile2706]

Chuck is 49

[@Femaiden]

they sell candles shaped like numbers. . .

[@jayeff6712]

I am also 54 and I use 6 candles, from left to right 2 are on 1 is off 2 are on one is off. So in binary it is 110110 .

[@blankstare3775]

Could also just use #5 and #4 candles.

[@Hobbitstomper]

Chuck is like the autocorrect feature nobody asked for-yet, once it's gone, you realize not only how much you rely on it but also how essential it has become in your life.

[@ixinor]

Nope

[@pumpalin8661]

@@ixinorthat’s just plain wrong

[@metalzonemt-2]

Bad example. I've always hated autocorrect.

[@AliAkbarEE]

Still want him to go and let the magician do the magic.

[@Ben-Ken]

Everyone is missing Chuck but he's probably off investigating mood enhancing chemicals. For science 😉

[@AlGaragui]

Well, we don't know because he didn't invite us on his fishing trip.

[@charleshendry5978]

Not me.

[@gavinomeara8390]

Thought he had a comedy tour?

[@fredbohm4728]

I am not missing him at all.

[@classicalmechanic8914]

The new guy is as cringy as Kamala's campaign.

[@7733n]

13:35 it taking humanity 100 years to catch up to Einstein, with his writings available the whole time really puts his intelligence into perspective.

[@BabySagan]

For sure. I love his backstory, that he worked in the patent office first which gave him time to think up so much epic stuff.

[@racamon]

You are simplifying. Technology didn't exist to check his theory and calculations, but the math was there, and it was proven pretty fast, and humanity accepted it in an instance. That is why he was so popular and known. But to prove it in experiment, with lasers, with super sensitive sensors and gears, extremely reflective mirrors, computers... to dig tunnels... that required time, and money. A lot of money.

[@ramondejesus65]

The ignorance of your statement cannot be overstated. Even Einstein himself didn't know the extent to where his theories would be taken.

[@StephenLewisful]

Just be aware that Einstein was also wrong about some things and that it took years to prove some of his most famous work.

[@bigleeneth]

Wrong. Quantum physics has built upon general relativity and is the accepted theory but was theorized in the 1800s and gained more credibility in the 1930s. Einstein discovered e=mc² in 1905. We understood these concepts almost immediately. Putting them Into practice is a much larger beast. They proved on paper that they could make a bomb splitting an atom, yet it took them years for it to be realized.

[@bidishabhattacharya1647]

Dr Tyson is an excellent educator. One becomes spellbound listening to him. Thanks so much.

[@theforgottenbrawlers]

Sure, whatever.

[@BabySagan]

He is hands down the best me thinks. Such intelligence and humor are rare.

[@byzantineaura]

@@theforgottenbrawlerswhy so bitter?

[@theforgottenbrawlers]

@@byzantineaura Yeah, give a chance to other comedians and not always Chuck this, Chuck that....grow up.

[@erkinalp]

you meant prof. tyson

[@dailypodclips247]

we miss chuck

[@jafaarahmed-g9r]

he better be there next time or ima 808

[@youssefbh830]

Bro Chuck might not always be available to entertain us, he could get sick, be busy, have family issues, go on a vacation... I don't understand why every time he's not on (which is rare), I see these types of comments.

[@96manuel96ify]

​@@youssefbh830 It's cozy we love us some Chuck!

[@osmoticcosmos32]

fr bro u dont know how his personal life is. besides chuck wont leave us for more then one episode. chuck is our supernova to the galactic gumbo

[@dailypodclips247]

hope hes fine we need him for the next one

[@thesuncollective1475]

You have the nicest people on your show.

[@mistyforte222]

For birthday cakes we use two colors of candles for 0 and 1, and show our age in binary. Ex: 54=red, red, blue, red, red, blue.

[@isatousarr7044]

The interplay between photons, fire, and gravitational waves presents a fascinating intersection of physics that illustrates the complexity of the universe. Photons, as the fundamental particles of light, play a crucial role in our understanding of energy transfer and the behavior of electromagnetic radiation. Their interaction with matter, including processes like combustion, showcases how fire emits light and heat, fundamentally changing the environment around us. On a different scale, gravitational waves-ripples in spacetime caused by the acceleration of massive objects-provide a profound insight into the universe’s most energetic events, such as black hole mergers or neutron star collisions. The detection of these waves has opened up a new window into astrophysics, allowing us to explore cosmic phenomena that were previously beyond our reach. Together, these elements highlight the beauty and intricacy of the physical laws governing our universe. The study of how photons interact with matter and how gravitational waves carry information about cosmic events enhances our understanding of both the microscopic and macroscopic realms of physics. As we continue to explore these areas, who knows what new discoveries await that could further illuminate the relationship between light, energy, and the fabric of spacetime?

[@CARTUNE.]

"So...what did that have to do with birthday candles?" Made me LOL because I'm usually the Neil in my family, always going too deep at times and losing track. Love it.

[@sush139]

Chuck is really smart and so witty! His interactions with Neal are so enjoyable.

[@c.youngberg9511]

2:34, my parents kept using candles, and not the shaped numbered ones, up until their passing. Dad passed at 57, Mom at 54. They got around having an army of candles, trying to light them with a flamethrower, by having large candles count as 5 or 10 years, then getting to the number with tiny ones. Made arranging them a nice artistic exercise.

[@phunkydroid]

The liquid wax doesn't burn. It only burns as a vapor. The wick carries some of the liquid into the flame where it is hot enough to vaporize, feeding the flame.

[@gungan7859]

So the wax burns.

[@josiahpaez4601]

​@@gungan7859Yes, but the OP is saying the wax burns only as a vapor, not as a liquid. Whether or not that is true, I don't know. Is any liquid even flammable or just the vapor from a liquid?

[@ridetheapex]

​@@josiahpaez4601 Cesium.

[@JaguarBST]

Much better answer. Was about comment the same thing until I saw yours.

[@josiahpaez4601]

@@ridetheapex I'm not so sure about that. I haven't seen any demonstrations of Cesium on fire. That is to say, I haven't seen liquid Cesium oxidizing via a chain reaction with a flame. Not saying it can't happen, I just haven't seen it. All the explosive reactions in water seem to actually be hydrogen explosions from disassociated water molecules. Very cool, but not a liquid on fire.

[@fraliexb]

23:30 sounds like Niel needs to make the "Neil deGrasse Tyson calendar" with the big rip.

[@slickyjorj]

Love me some star talk. Miss Chuck though.

[@Matthw-7B]

I love and prefer chuck as much as anyone. Can you imagine even having the resume to sit in for him!? I respect anyone that can even take his seat when he's not in town.

[@OddGentleman]

I am sorry, but a very simple first question was not answered: why does fire release light? Fire releases light due to the process of excited atoms and molecules releasing photons. When a substance combusts (reacts with oxygen), it generates heat, which energizes the atoms in the burning material, exciting their electrons to higher energy states. As these electrons return to their normal, lower-energy states, they release the excess energy as photons, or particles of light.

[@unknown01q2]

It IS answered! ~5:00

[@swistedfilms]

Yes, thank you. Neil sometimes gets a bit high-minded about things and forgets about the questions that were asked. Also, I think that if the kid who asked this question sees your response then they might have a few other questions such as, "What do you mean about electrons going to higher and lower energy states?" I suspect that probably hasn't been in their curriculum just yet. So be prepared for that should that kid see your post. And frankly I hope they do.

[@jackburfitt3036]

I am sorry, but the very simple first question was answered in depth for the first 12 minutes of the video ?

[@jamesmyers8971]

The light from a campfire is hotter than the fire itself.

[@AsaSpadeSS]

Literally 4:50...pay attention

[@fraliexb]

The Nobel people should have a "contribution" additions to the winners of the prize for acknowledging the prior work needed for this current accomplishment...

[@AlGaragui]

"Ask Not What Nobel People Can Do For You...".- Algaragui

[@Ganiscol]

That would quickly descend into a confusing laundry list of cascading names because all science builds upon previous work of science. And if you wanted to avoid that, where is the cutoff?

[@SecretWalrus99]

i love having new guests! adds a new flavor to the episode! but there will never be another Lord Nice

[@dogedemocracy8877]

I just get the number candles. Saves room 😊

[@lovelywaz]

Where does the fire come from? Well, you know sweetie... When Oxygen and Hydrogen love each other too much and add few other elements in a certain group activity... It creates FIRE! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@kpw84u2]

"If it happens at all, it'll happen 2B yrs from now -- I have it on my Calendar"... 😂😂😂

[@albertowachsman]

22B

[@ThePOSM]

Hey Neil, loved your parts on Big Bang Theory, especially the "Degrasse kicking" 😂😂

[@c.youngberg9511]

17:40, the laser beams "know about each other" because they stem from the same source. The emiter is pointed at a 50% 45° mirror, so half the light progresses forward, half deviates to the side.

[@eileendunn2130]

Great conversation, gentlemen. Gratitude and respect.

[@Chrisx093]

We miss you, Chuck 😭 star talk just isn't the same without him

[@catalinleonida4790]

Not true.. Feel sad for the atoms passing through your body

[@SusieRedus]

Chuck, Chuck, Chuck!!!

[@stoneysdead689]

The reason it confuses ppl that half the matter of a star is blown away and what's left creates a blackhole is because we tend to think the blackhole is created because there is just so much mass but- in reality you can turn a paper clip into a blackhole- you just have to squish it down into a tiny enough space that it becomes so dense- it creates a tiny little blackhole. The smaller the amount of mass you have, the smaller the space you have to squish it down into to make a black hole- to reach it's Swartchild's radius. The radius is proportional to the mass- the smaller the mass, the smaller the radius- and vice versa.

[@Vaeldarg]

That might work out as napkin math, but black hole event horizons are from their gravity being high enough to not even let photons escape it. It's not about the size of the space the mass is squished into, but the amount of mass that has accumulated to the point of having powerful enough gravity to squish that matter down.

[@CortanaCH]

Who is this child and who is Swart?

[@TheZippingby]

The candle burning process can be better described as the fire heats up the wick, allowing the wax to melt and evaporate. The fume of wax vapor mixes with air which is rich in oxygen, and it meets the burning criteria (fuel, oxygen and heat). The heat from the flame causes the wax at the tip of the wick to evaporate, the capillary effect within the dried up tip keeps drawing the molten wax up to fill the wick. It won't flood the tip of the wick as there is a fine balance between wicking force created by the flame drying the tip, and gravitational pull which pulls the molten wax down. Try extinguishing a candle flame, you will see a wax fume rises due to lack of heat.

[@arcticdogs556]

No Chuck this time, but my man Harrison had jokes lol

[@An_Escaped_Mind]

Yea corny jokes

[@johnyepthomi892]

@@An_Escaped_Mindbro lighten up.

[@youchoosealex]

This was a beautiful episode to listen to. It's incredible to listen to Neil speak off the cuff about things that are so profound. Compare this to politicians who can only ever read from a script. Really puts to shame.

[@fraliexb]

48:00 many Solar storage "batteries" is pumping water to a higher elevation, and then using it as hydroelectric at night.

[@LDBII]

Aww man, you guys are sooo funny in OUR nerdy kinda way 😂😂😂

[@johnfarris6152]

I've heard someone say that the plank length is not the smallest measurement , but it is the smallest measurement that can mean anything.

[@oskarskalski2982]

It all comes down to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. If you would want to observe anything beyond planck scale the energy of the photon needed for such observation would create a black hole with the mass of Planck mass and Schwarzschild radius of Planck length.

[@SashimiSteak]

Grew up in Hong Kong kids had a tradition of lighting candles in mid autumn festival. One night me and a few cousins were doing that near the lobby of the old apartment and somehow decided to threw all the candles into a metal bucket and light it all up. The fire got so strong the adults came out and had to smother it out. We got an earful. I've always been told that kind of fire is more dangerous than regular fire and now I know why.

[@samsmith2635]

47:00 Ah yes, as a Professor of Blacksmithing I loving calling the the Sun the Great Forge in the Sky.

[@randallbesch2424]

Yes stars are great plasma forges compressing hydrogen into helium.,

[@PeteOtton]

@@randallbesch2424 And eventually some heavier elements, and if it goes supernova some even heavier elements yet! What I find amazing is there was enough hydrogen left over from the first generation of stars to light up and provide heat and light to a little ball of rock and water.

[@robertbrandon502]

I love what you’re doing. Keep doing a good job. We need more programs like this.

[@IanZainea1990]

2:34 I'm 34 and still use candles. For my grandma's 74th .... We put 74 on that sucker

[@Uttaela]

I love that

[@IanZainea1990]

@Uttaela it was an inferno haha.

[@jamesduncan578]

We did that to an stepmother-in-law when she turned 60. She did not appreciate that at all. Just to vain.

[@WhiteyThePooh]

Neat

[@caru3257]

I celebrate nothing. The Earth orbits around Earth and I’m just along for the ride.

[@LogicalNiko]

A photon doesn’t really “know” how to move at the speed of light. A photon moves at the speed of light because it is itself light, and thus the definition of “the speed of light”. Photons will always go the speed of light, because they’re the gauge by which we measure them. Now they can be slowed in a medium, but whatever speed they are going is the speed of light in that medium. It’s kind like saying what is the speed you walk measured in terms of the speed you walk at any given time. It’s always the same.

[@Ganiscol]

Redundant. Velocity is relative.

[@RT22444]

I liked this guy! Funny commentary but kept his jokes concise. Sometimes I’m like ooooookay chuck…ok let’s go back to Neil now, we get it 😂. Love and appreciate both Chuck and this dude!

[@toymen-ze3zr]

Fire is made of fire 🤯

[@bkbland1626]

It's not a thing. It's a process

[@randallbesch2424]

Fire is the outcome of a chemical process.

[@glennschemitsch8341]

This would have been a great question.. look up phlogiston.... The search for this went on for centuries. What is fire made of.

[@abhishekrakhe2788]

How great teacher he is i can easily imagine things he is explaining ❤

[@isonlynameleft]

I'm 44 and I still have candles on my birthday cake 😅

[@funkyhairman]

Did you have 44 candles? Or just two 4 shaped candles? Was a fire extinguisher required? 😂

[@sicfxmusic]

That's one way to tell yourself you're still young.

[@isonlynameleft]

@@funkyhairman I think just a handful. I don't have that kind of lung capacity anymore! 😅

[@BabySagan]

We ain't judging.

[@oskarskalski2982]

I'm 39 and basically don't even celebrate birthday.

[@kalvinmiller8233]

Great show nice job with the video editing!

[@TheGiggleMasterP]

Where is Lord Nice? I know he would have something enLIGHTening to say 😅

[@AlGaragui]

enWAVEring comment. 👏😜

[@conklemark]

How do photons know about direction?

[@MrBoomer-k6v]

Miss chuck😢

[@randallbesch2424]

Fine give others a chance and Chuck time to do his work.

[@Too_reel]

6:04 since energy can’t be destroyed (only transformed) , is it fair to assume that photons are manifestations of energy too?

[@BIayne]

Yes, photons are a manifestation of energy.

[@bjeh001]

Harrison did a fantastic job! I shudder to think what sort of cosmic event might have resulted with Neil, Lord Nice and Harrison in the same room at the same time.

[@NukaZeus]

how do we submit questions?

[@Milan_Openfeint]

First you need to become a patreon, and then something. I guess it's obvious after step 1.

[@teknophyle1]

37:55 Neil, are you saying cannibal society is MultiLevelMarketing?

[@TraciPearson-ok2tr]

Brilliant!

[@troyjacobs8530]

Thanks for being my personal astrophysicist :D❤

[@iloveguitar338]

Yall need to calm down chuck probably does other things give the man a break. The important thing is you learn somethin here.

[@paulo.8899]

No.

[@WhiteyThePooh]

@@paulo.8899they will not silence us! We want Chuck!

[@miketmcquinn]

Really love the cohost! Love you too Chuck!

[@Jackofallthetrades]

I like this Harrison! Please bring him back, early and often!

[@princevjg]

I looooooove me some star talk. i cant wait to be able to support the show guys. Love from Botswana (Africa)

[@BisharAbdi-hy1cl]

Watching StarTalk without Chuck is like watching Dallas Cowboy game without CeeDee Lamb. It’s just not the same😤

[@WhiteyThePooh]

Almost ain’t worth watching you mean

[@everydaybiker]

Couldn't get through this . If harison could turn it down by about 70%, that would be great. Hopefully, I can come back to this another time. Thanks for the video, guys. Super interesting

[@roberthummell3701]

Most particles have an opposite manifestation. Do photons?

[@algonice5894]

I am not Neal so i could be wrong but from what I read they don't decay so no there is not a negative photon, maybe 😂

[@aminutukur5981]

This is beautifully explained

[@LeaveMyFreedomBe]

I think we are probably mostly wrong about Black Holes.

[@BabySagan]

Probably is correct. Can't even imagine really. Wonder if we are truly inside a black hole too.

[@LeaveMyFreedomBe]

@@BabySagan Who knows. The universe is an amazing mystery. I don't think we're supposed to know it all. It's the never-ending journey that makes it so wonderful.

[@kurtiswithak]

Neil's ability to ramble for so long without answering the question is actually fascinating

[@foxshot97]

having no chuck is like having no neil :( shoutout to harrison tho

[@Sukhbirsingh-uz2vw]

Very very precious videos in today's world

[@KingKaam]

What if a black hole is a rip in space time and everything is being sucked into it.

[@randallbesch2424]

The Simpsons did it that way.

[@gabrielmartinicorena5114]

26:45 I wrote something about this idea in highschool in 2010. I told the science teacher I had a theory on multiple universes being born from black holes and she asked me to elaborate on an essay. I never realized until now that there was something like this already

[@tylerwinfrey552]

Everyone misses Chuck but I like this guy too

[@charleemonkee]

i learn so much from you, neil, thank you. too many jump cuts in this one though... the editing is a bit jostling. love the content.

[@fraliexb]

I have to disagree with Neil (36:50) most oil is from dead Trees, before anything knew how to break down tree's materials.

[@merickful]

Click your little timestamp and listen again. LiStEn.

[@Chotensai]

most oil is from pressurized fossil remains of single celled organisms from long before trees existed such as diatoms (reference: Bill Nye circa 1993), what's your reference?

[@joemug4079]

A tree….is a plant.

[@rorywayshner259]

Really good conversation

[@ixinor]

Mission: liking every comment not about Chuck.

[@javiersolis2993]

I liked that Nascar explanation

[@w13rdguy]

No one is reading this comment section. Don't bother.

[@mrcryptozoic817]

Startalk podcast: I wish I had known that last week before driving from Denver to Meteor Crater. Thanks for mentioning it!

[@yogeshjog]

Hey my question got answered 32:15 Thank you so much 😍

[@joshuachartrand268]

Goodjob you two! Good interaction

[@beepborp7665]

heck yeah another StarTalk upload

[@barbaralemons4741]

Cool. You answered questions I hadn't thought to answer yet. Thanks.

[@ixlikexpiex420]

Great show Dr.

[@AlGaragui]

Singular and enlightening. No metaphor.

[@04asad4l]

Yo Neil DaGrass keep this W Thumbnail 😂😂

[@strcat666]

2:16 We used Binary candles after a while. We only light the one bits. 8:45 The flame can not burn liquid wax that is why the liquid puts out the candle. What happens is the flame vaporizes the wax. It is the wax vapper, heat and oxygen that burns.

[@gloriamadaffari5404]

Imagine being lucky enough to know 1/3 of what Neil knows. I have learned a lot from his videos. I always imagined astro physicists would be droll and serious, but Neil is the most upbeat scientist ever!!

[@FusionDeveloper]

47:37 I think it would be neat to have a generator like that at home, where you could spend your free time exercising, but lifting heavy objects to a higher level, and then have it use that weight to give you clean energy in return. I would suppose the simplest way would be to make it a gear that simply turns a fan, that way there is no battery or electricity, you are just using weight to turn a fan blade to give you a breeze.

[@xavierlennon9299]

Neil is the best ever! and the Harrison too

[@FusionDeveloper]

37:45 The conversation of fish, exactly. I have an aquarium that I am trying to make as self-sustaining as possible, but I still have to input light and fish food to keep it going. Although I could POSSIBLY get away with just light and air being added, because I have edible plant species that reproduce faster than non-plant species, but every day when I add fish food, there is a feeding frenzy. The key to this type of system, is that the larger and more complex the system is, the more the balances can swing to keep things going. So if you try to have a self-sustaining aquarium in 1 ml of water, it's going to basically be impossible. If you simply have a large outdoor pond that is below sea level and never dries out, it will be self-sustaining with life, because random things will be entering and leaving the water.

[@FusionDeveloper]

Also one more note: A self-sustaining ecosystem, doesn't mean all species in that ecosystem are thriving. If you want all desired species to be thriving, you have to do things to make sure they are (mostly food and cleaning).

[@kianturner2152]

I love you Neil, you did that perfectly

[@CosmicUniverse-e]

i exhausted 3 candles by the time Neil answered that 1st question.

[@johncaste5330]

When I was about four years old, I used to think that the wind was caused by the trees waving their branches

[@TamekaLee112308]

I was a little skeptical until he brought Neil back on track lol then when he said "I thought you told the police it was an accident" I cracked up 😂😂😂😂

[@luckrequired5382]

This was a really fun episode, thanks to Harrison and Neil! Edit: Neil, YOU ARE Magma P.I. you have the look of Tom Selleck already!

[@joesweeney1712]

36:29 the most unbelievable thing in this episode

[@spectre-8]

Literally

[@hamadaj8081]

I know we all miss chuck but this guy is the best alternative that ive seen so far

[@Slantir]

at 26minutes when discussing we could be in a black hole, i've also considered this. Insane to hear someone else suggest it if even a possible theory

[@marlonquintanilla4311]

I love the audio version for when im at work lol

[@lkburr]

In Michigan, we have a reservoir that when we have access energy, we pump the water from Lake Michigan into the reservoir, and then when we need energy, the water flows out of the reservoir through turbines to create electricity

[@atWay.]

🗨️ a series on metaphysics is awesome

[@daemn42]

Corrections: 1. There is no such thing as "mechanical energy". There is only Potential Energy, and Kinetic Energy.. Taking the elevator up in a gravitational field, increases your potential energy.. Falling directly toward another object in a gravitational field increases your kinetic energy relative to that object, and hitting that object simply transfers your kinetic energy into the other object, producing kinetic energy in different directions (some of which is in the form of photons) which has mechanical effects. 2. Melted (liquid) wax does not need to be above the boiling temperature of water. You can drip candle wax onto your skin without being burnt by it. In fact, during candle making it is recommended to keep the temperature below 200F otherwise it can damage the wax's structure and color. If you raised the candle wax temperature up to the flash point (when its vapors burst into flame) then yes it is well above boiling temperature of water, but that's just a mistake, not a fundamental characteristic of melted candle wax. 3. Liquids (including candle wax) do not directly burn. They must first be heated until they vaporize into a gas, and *that* is what burns. A candle wick burning is an end effect, not causal. It is simply a vessel for liquid wax to be carried up to a point that the flame can turn it into a vapor and that is what burns. A wick only burns itself down when the level of the liquid wax drops far enough that it can't be wicked up in time to cool the wick itself (through the vaporization process).

[@Mr.Donahue]

Mechanical energy is the sum total of all kinetic and potential energy within a system.

[@daemn42]

@@Mr.Donahue Still makes it entirely meaningless in the context he used it though.

[@KimPhilipDalanon]

Hydro carbon is flamabe compatible in fire triangle. Love the podcast.

[@FantasticExplorers]

Oh good, light easy going questions!