Six lectures on the chemistry and physics of flames that Michael Faraday delivered at the Royal Institution in 1848 under the heading The Chemical History of a Candle were part of the series of Christmas lectures for young people that Faraday established in 1825 and which are still presented there each year. The several zones of combustion in a candle flame and the presence of carbon particles in the luminous zone were discussed in the lectures. The creation and evaluation of hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide gas characteristics were demonstrated. In order to show an electrolysis cell, platinum conductors are first electroplated by dissolved copper, followed by the generation of hydrogen and oxygen gases and their subsequent recombination to produce water. Studies are done on the characteristics of water, such as how much it expands when it freezes (causing iron containers to explode) and how much steam is produced when it vaporizes. There are demonstrations of methods for weighing gases on a balance. The effects of atmospheric pressure are illustrated and described. Faraday makes several remarks regarding adequate attention to safety and notes that several of the demonstrations and experiments carried out in the lectures may be undertaken by youngsters "at home."
Michael Faraday, an English scientist who lived from 22 September 1791 to 25 August 1867, made important advances in the study of electrochemistry and electromagnetism. His key contributions include an understanding of the fundamentals of electrolysis, diamagnetism, and electromagnetic induction. Despite having minimal formal schooling, Faraday was one of history's most important scientists. Faraday developed the idea of the electromagnetic field in physics from his studies of the magnetic field surrounding a conductor carrying a direct current. He also discovered the rules of electrolysis and the fundamentals of electromagnetic induction and diamagnetism. Electric motor technology was built on his electromagnetic rotary device ideas, and it was essentially his work that made electricity practicable for application in technology. His courses on chemistry and electricity covered the following topics: The Foundations of Chemistry, 1841 First Electricity Principles, published in 1843 The Chemical Evolution of a Candle, 1848 1851: Alluring Forces Voltaic Electricity in 1853; The Chemistry of Combustion in 1854; The following were published in 1855: The Distinctive Properties of the Common Metals; Static Electricity in 1857; Metallic Properties in 1858; and The Different Forces of Matter and Their Relationships in 1859.
