WHY? Although it is invisible, air occupies the space inside the jar. Air is composed of nitrogen, oxygen, and other gasses.The candle needs oxygen to burn. Because there is a finite amount of oxygen trapped inside the jar, when it is used up, the candle will no longer burn. As the oxygen is burned up, a space is left. Water fills the space left in the jar. ASSESSMENT: Extension 2 may be used for assessment purposes. Can the student communicate what they observed? and smoothly?

The student is able to communicate that two objects cannot occupy the same space; the candle burned up the oxygen, leaving a space for the water. The student is able to communicate that the water rose into the jar when the candle went out. The student is able to communicate that the candle went out and there is water in the jar. The student is able to communicate that the candle ran out of air so it went out.

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Last modified: Sun Aug 10 18:00:59 PDT 1997

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