A burning candle is dropped into the module. During the drop we observe a change in the shape of the flame, which becomes spherical.
Under normal conditions, when the flame burns, a temperature gradient is created in sorrounding gases and convective motions are producted under buonyancy. These convective motions increase the oxygen flow to the flame, increase combustions and give the flame its characteristic shape. In free fall, the flame intensity is reduced, due to the significant decrease of the convective transport of oxygen to the flame. Oxygen is supplied to the flame by the much slower molecular diffusion process. Both flame intensity and shape are affected, assuming a most spherical shape in place of the typical elongated form. | Normal motion ← | Slow motion → | |
