Faraday and the candle
Michael Faraday
1791-1867
Listeners to this podcast will take away an appreciation for two great illuminators in science; one a candle and the other Michael Faraday. Although known for innumerable contributions to chemistry and physics, Faraday's efforts to educate the public are discussed, particularly with regards to his famous lectures series on the chemical history of the candle. Those intrigued by candles should find their intellectual curiosity satisfied as Mark and Jack discuss the chemistry and physics of candles along with Michael Faraday and the Famous Royal Institution where he did his greatest work.
Podcast length: 50:32
Show Notes:
Selected Awards and Publications associated with Michael Faraday:
The Copley Medal in 1832 and 1838 was awarded to Michael Faraday "For his discovery of Magneto-Electricity as detailed in his Experimental Researches in Electricity, published in the Philosophical Transactions for the present year." and "For his researches in specific electrical induction."
Discussed in the episode:
Sir Humphrey Davy and the Royal Institution
The Christmas Lectures
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures on the BBC https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00pmbqq
The Candle
The Reaction:
The process above, unbalanced, involves heat from the burning wick melting the solid wax in the candle with the liquid wax rising up the fibrous wick to the flame where it vaporizes and reacts with the oxygen in the air to produce carbon dioxide and water.
Mark's visit to the Royal Institution
