The Bunsen burner

Invented by:

Robert Wilhelm Bunsen

Circa 1855

Robert Bunsen’s first

Burner

Parts of the Bunsen Burner

Methane gas is fed from the gas inlet through the gas control valve.

SAFETYSAFETY Burns from a Bunsen burner are the most Burns from a Bunsen burner are the most

common lab accidentscommon lab accidents Temperatures are very hot and at NO TIME Temperatures are very hot and at NO TIME

should you PLAY with the flame.should you PLAY with the flame. Long hair MUST be tied back. Hair is VERY Long hair MUST be tied back. Hair is VERY

flammable.flammable. SAFETY GLASSES SAFETY GLASSES MUST MUST be worn at ALL be worn at ALL

TIMES. TIMES.

SAFETYSAFETY Make sure that NO Make sure that NO

FLAMMABLE objects FLAMMABLE objects are near the lit Bunsen are near the lit Bunsen Burner.Burner.

If you burn yourself, If you burn yourself, place the burned area place the burned area under cold water and under cold water and tell a teacher.tell a teacher.

The Flames of the Bunsen Burner

With the Air Hole OPEN

This flame is very HOT

Un-burnt gas

Non- Luminous

Luminous Bunsen Flame

This flame is:

1. Yellow

2. Silent

3. Visible

4. Cool

5. Sooty

6. Safe

The Air-hole is CLOSED

The "coolest" flame is a yellow / orange color.  It is approximately 300°C.  It is never used to heat anything, only to show that the Bunsen burner is on.  It is called the safety flame.

The medium flame, also called the blue flame or the invisible flame is difficult to see in a well-lit room.  It is the most commonly used flame. It is approximately 500°C.

The hottest flame is called the roaring blue flame.  It is characterized by a light blue triangle in the middle and it is the only flame of the 3 which makes a noise.  It is approximately 700°C.

Roaring Flame: Non- Luminous

This flame is:

1. Blue

2. Noisy

3. Non-luminous

4. Very hot

5. Clean

6. Dangerous if left unattended

The Air-hole is OPEN

Lighting the Bunsen burner:Lighting the Bunsen burner:

Step 1Step 1 The first step is to The first step is to check for safetycheck for safety - lab - lab

coat on, long hair tied back, safety glasses coat on, long hair tied back, safety glasses on, books and papers away from the flame, on, books and papers away from the flame, apparatus set up not too close to the edge apparatus set up not too close to the edge of the table...of the table...

Step 2Step 2 The second step is to look at the holes.  The second step is to look at the holes. 

Check that the Check that the holes are closedholes are closed.  The .  The holes can be adjusted to let in more or less holes can be adjusted to let in more or less air by turning the air by turning the collarcollar (see photos below). (see photos below).

OPEN CLOSED

Step 3Step 3 Wait for the teacher's permission, thenWait for the teacher's permission, then

light the matchlight the match.   Some people prefer to .   Some people prefer to turn the gas on and light the match after.  turn the gas on and light the match after.  The problem is, if the match breaks or The problem is, if the match breaks or goes out, the gas is leaking out of the tap goes out, the gas is leaking out of the tap while you get a new match.while you get a new match.

Step 4Step 4 Light the Bunsen burner.Light the Bunsen burner.  When you have   When you have

a flame from the match, turn on the a flame from the match, turn on the gas tapgas tap.  .  In some labs, to turn it on, you must first In some labs, to turn it on, you must first push down, then turn the tap. This is a safety push down, then turn the tap. This is a safety feature so the taps are not accidentally feature so the taps are not accidentally pushed open. Approach the match to the top pushed open. Approach the match to the top of the Bunsen burner and it should light.of the Bunsen burner and it should light.

Tap Closed

Tap Open

Step 5Step 5 Adjust the flame by turning the collarAdjust the flame by turning the collar so so

that you have the appropriate flame for the that you have the appropriate flame for the experiment (usually the medium blue experiment (usually the medium blue flame). flame). 

Step 6Step 6 During the experiment,During the experiment, stay vigilant stay vigilant so that so that

if a problem occurs, you are ready to turn off if a problem occurs, you are ready to turn off the flame quickly.  This means that you the flame quickly.  This means that you should not leave your table unattended. should not leave your table unattended. 

In order to have a fire, there must be three elements:

• Fuel -- something which will burn

•Heat -- enough to make the fuel burn

•Air -- more specifically, oxygen

VOCABULARYVOCABULARY

FLAMMABLE: means to burn easilyFLAMMABLE: means to burn easily VIGILANT: stay alert, be watchful,VIGILANT: stay alert, be watchful, LUMINOUS: able to be seen, visibleLUMINOUS: able to be seen, visible NON-LUMINOUS: cannot be seen, invisibleNON-LUMINOUS: cannot be seen, invisible

CreditsCredits

http://www.mr-damon.com/experiments/bunsen/http://www.mr-damon.com/experiments/bunsen/lighting.htmlighting.htm

http://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Electrons/Bunsen-Burner.htmlhttp://dbhs.wvusd.k12.ca.us/Electrons/Bunsen-Burner.html http:/ch/emscape.santafe.cc.fl.us/chemscape/catofp/http:/ch/emscape.santafe.cc.fl.us/chemscape/catofp/

bunsbur/bunsbur2.htmbunsbur/bunsbur2.htm http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/CCA5/MAIN/http://jchemed.chem.wisc.edu/JCESoft/CCA/CCA5/MAIN/

1ORGANIC/ORG01/TRAM01/B/0041721/THUMBS.HTM1ORGANIC/ORG01/TRAM01/B/0041721/THUMBS.HTM