When the days become shorter and it gets dark early in the evening many people enjoy candlelight. Candles are also a great medium for doing science, so why not blend both and add a little light to your science? Have you ever heard of a candle seesaw? This is an impressive candle science activity that explains about kinetic energy. This is seriously so much fun and a great way to surprise kids in a really easy way. In this engaging STEM activity, you will use candles to study the balancing forces of a seesaw.
About Candle Seesaw Balancing Act
This awesome science activity is easily overlooked when you’re thumbing through the pages of an old science book. How interesting can a few candles attached to a needle really be? This activity not only keeps kids occupied but also engages natural curiosity, making it something that young children usually enjoy. Do you like playing on a seesaw? Why is it that depends on where you sit on the beam and the mass of the person on the other side, you either fly up into the air or fall down to the ground? And why is it so tough to correctly balance the seesaw? It can all be explained with physics!
Who would have ever imagined such an easy activity would involve such complex physics? Don’t worry if this sounds difficult, it will become more understandable once you try this activity using a seesaw made of candles!
Materials Required For Candle Seesaw Balancing Act
- Two identical birthday candles
- Strong tape
- Needle that is longer than the candle’s diameter
- Aluminum foil
- Knife
- Two glasses of the same height
- Lighter
- Adult helper
- Safe location and surface for using candles
Steps Involved In The Candle Seesaw Balancing Act
- Put the candle in the gap within the glasses so the parts of the needle that are sticking out on each side of the candle rest on the rim of each glass.
- If your candle seesaw is unstable, adjust the location of the needle in the candle. Once the needle is placed correctly in the middle of the two candles, the seesaw should be stable.
- You have to make sure your surface is wrapped with aluminum foil along the complete length of the candle.
- Once the candle is stable and doesn’t drop down on either side, you have to carefully light both candles. Do not light both candles simultaneously, wait for a couple of moments before you light the second one.
- See how both candles burn and observe the movement of your candle seesaw.
- Once the candles burn down by about one fourth, blow out both candles and cut the top of one of the candles.
- Now, place the candle between the glasses again, so the parts of the needle that are sticking out on each side of the candle rest on the rim of each glass.
- Now light both candles the same way as before.
- Observe the candles burn and notice what happens.
- Make sure to blow out both candles before they burn fully.
You have to make sure both candles are fully extinguished and dispose of them and the aluminum foil. If you do not want to reuse the needle, make sure to dispose of it in a safe container.
Try It Now!
With candles an essential source of light in ancient wizarding spaces, candles can also be a good way to study simple science activity. You won’t be able to light the candles with a flick of a wand, but once lit, you can watch a fascinating see-saw between two lit candles as they effortlessly rise and fall. Moreover, you may also repeat the activity, and this time don’t place the needle in the center of the candle beam. One side should be bulkier, similar to when you cut the top of one candle. However, this time only light the candle on the longer side. Then observe the candle burn.
