Why do candles flicker?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Air currents disturb flame
Air currents disturb flame ✓ — Correct! Even tiny air currents push the flame around. Hot air rising from the flame creates its own turbulence too. In perfectly still air (rare!), candle flames burn steadily without flickering.
Wick moves back and forth — Wrong. Wicks stay stationary. The flame movement comes from air currents affecting the hot gases.
Wax sends out tiny explosions — Wrong. There are no explosions in a candle—wax burns steadily. Flickering is caused by air currents pushing the flame around.