Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

TOPIC- Which candle burns faster beeswax, soy, or paraffin?


which candle do you recommend and why?

Dear sr95,

Thank you for contacting science buddies' ask an expert. Regarding your question, I think that soy wax burns faster because it has a lower melting point than beeswax and paraffin wax. As for what candle wax someone would recommend depends on the person. First, bees wax is a natural wax and has a higher melting point than both soy and paraffin wax, although this wax is more expensive than soybean and paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is made by petroleum products and supposedly releases more pollutants into the air when melted than the other two waxes. Soybean wax is made from hydrogenated soybean oil and was made to make cheaper candles than candles made with bees wax. Soybean wax supposedly releases less/less harmful pollutants than paraffin wax.

good luck,
scienceexpert123

here are some websites I found about the topic
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soy_wax
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beeswax
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraffin
http://www.answers.com/soy%20wax
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52885.asp