From: utzoo!decvax!harpo!npoiv!alice!rabbit!ark
Newsgroups: net.physics
Title: Smothering a Candle
Article-I.D.: rabbit.1013
Posted: Wed Dec 22 19:44:06 1982
Received: Thu Dec 23 03:59:33 1982

It is difficult to get through a high school physics course without
seeing the following experiment.  A candle is fixed the bottom of a
basin, and the basin is filled with water.  The candle extends several
inches above the water surface.  The candle is lighted.  A jar is inverted
and placed over the candle, with its mouth touching the water.

The result:  within a few seconds the candle goes out from lack of
oxygen and the water rises an inch or two into the jar.  The
explanation usually given is that the candle has used up the oxygen
in the jar and that the water has risen to take its place.

This explanation is wrong.  Puzzles for the interested reader:
(1) prove that this explanation is wrong.  (2 - extra credit)
supply the correct explanation.