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wasoxygen  ·  3802 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Hubski Science Quiz #1 - updated with answer!

If I had responded without reading other comments I would have said that the hotter, less dense "exhaust" gas from both candles — atmosphere enriched with carbon dioxide and soot and mostly depleted of oxygen — would accumulate at the top and snuff out the taller candle first.

The idea that carbon dioxide is denser and therefore sinks is intriguing, but we do not observe a carpet of pure carbon dioxide on the ground in normal environments. Carbon dioxide molecules weigh, what, 12 + 16 + 16 units, so 44, and most of the atmosphere is diatomic nitrogen, which I think is a good bit lighter per molecule. (I am refraining from outside research.)

The dynamic churning of fluids in motion maintains a pretty homogenous mixure, and only extreme gases like hydrogen and helium, or chlorine as in the Bhopal incident, would not be mixed in at all levels.

My prediction: the top candle goes out first. I would expect it to burn longer than ten seconds, though.

May I suggest a "quiz" tag? I have some ideas to contribute.