Why do candles flicker?
Show answer & explanation
Answer: Air currents disturb flame
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.
Wick moves back and forth — Wrong. Wicks stay stationary. The flame movement comes from air currents affecting the hot gases.
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.