Why do candles flicker?
 

Was watching my candle in its little glass jar last night. There was no way breeze could get to it. Which made me wonder: why is it flickering?

I figured it had something to do with oxygen availability. Or air currents. Possibly something about imperfections in the wick. I have no clue. Please do inform me, if you happen to know!

Awesome question. I did a quick Google and found this:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasc...9/gen99544.htm

Makes sense to me. You don't see it with oil lamps.

Thanks, allaboutmusic!

Thanks for asking. You've given me a piece of trivia with which to make a romantic candelit dinner decidedly awkward!

Hmmm I always figured unpredictable fluid movement of the air going into the candle and the heat rising out would play some role. :(

Fluid mechanics/dynamics is such a pain.

Gotta admit that's what I used to think too.

Let's assume that plays some factor- insane to think the pure chaos of fluid dynamics wouldn't go to play a part of something as chaotic as a flickering candle.

We just wont acknowledge how much of a roll- spoken as the butterfly flaps its wings causing the storm on the other side of the world. ;)