Question

Hands held around a burning candle.
What facts about energy can be inferred from the image? Check all that apply.

The candle is giving off light.
Thermal energy flows from the hands to the candle.
The candle is doing work.
Chemical energy from the candle is converted to thermal energy.
Thermal energy flows from the air to the candle.

Answer 1

Correct choices:
- The candle is giving off light. (True — the flame emits light.)
- Chemical energy from the candle is converted to thermal energy. (True — combustion of the wax converts stored chemical energy into heat and light.)

Not true:
- Thermal energy flows from the hands to the candle. (False — heat flows from the hotter flame to the cooler hands.)
- The candle is doing work. (False in the mechanical sense; it's releasing energy as heat/light, not doing mechanical work on a system.)
- Thermal energy flows from the air to the candle. (False — the candle/flame is hotter than the surrounding air, so net heat flow is from candle to air.)