Why does a candle not create smoke when burning but lots of smoke when you blow it out?

Question

Why does a candle not create smoke when burning but lots of smoke when you blow it out?

In: Chemistry

Answer 1

The smoke you see is wax vapor. The flame is actually fueled by that wax vapor, so it is being burnt away while the candle is lit. When you blow the candle out it’s still hot enough that you get the wax vapor, but because there is no flame it’s not getting burnt away.