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Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Fire

What does one do when the sun goes down and the candles are lit? Bro. Clarence pulled out a paper and read:

"What happens when a candle burns. The candle is made of solid paraffin wax. Paraffin wax has long, complex, chain like molecules made up from carbon atoms (C) and Hydrogen atoms (H). When the wax is heated by the candle flame, the long molecules break up and untangle. The solid candle wax turns into a thin liquid which soaks into the candle wick. The liquid wax breaks down into smaller molecules of flammable gas which mix with oxygen in the surrounding air. An oxidising reaction takes place which gives off light and heat to form a flame. The burning process converts the paraffin wax and oxygen into a mixture of gases, water vapour and small solid particles which we call smoke. The gases are mostly carbon dioxide - C02 and carbon monoxide - CO, produced when carbon from the candle wax combines with oxygen in the air. The smoke particles, or soot, are mostly unburned carbon (C). If you hold a polished metal spoon above a candle flame it will become stained with soot. Smoke contains water vapour which is produced when the hydrogen from the candle wax combines with oxygen in the air. A cold shiny surface held near to the candle flame will collect moisture from the flame."

"Life suddenly deepens and all the universe is present at the lighting of a candle." -- R H Blyth

"Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player That struts and frets his hour upon the stage and then is heard no more. It is a tale Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing." --William Shakespeare

"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared." --Buddha

Bro. Sedwick pointed out that the saying of the Buddha is similar to what is found in the Hebrew Midrashic teachings:

"Many candles can be kindled from one candle without diminishing it."

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