Lighting the Bunsen burner
1. Place the Bunsen burner on a heat proof mat
2. Follow the picture instructions to light the Bunsen burner, but first finish reading these guidelines:
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Hold the lit match about 1cm over the top of the barrel
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If the match blows out do not turn on the gas, repeat the previous step (light a match)
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When lit, the Bunsen burner should produce a yellow flame
•
To obtain a blue flame, turn the collar to open the airhole. This sometimes causes the flame to blow
out. If it does, turn off the Bunsen burner and start over. Then, to obtain a blue flame, adjust the
airhole so that it is almost but not completely open. Good luck!
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Using a Bunsen burner
Safety first!
• You must wear goggles
• Long hair must be tied back
• The Bunsen burner must be placed on a heatproof mat
• Whenever you are not using the Bunsen burner, set its flame to yellow – SAFETY
FLAME
• Equipment will be hot – let it cool down before packing away
Purpose: to light a Bunsen burner and produce a yellow flame and a blue flame
Materials: Bunsen burner, heat proof mat, matches
Procedure (work in pairs):
• Follow the instructions overleaf to light a Bunsen burner
• Switch between opening and closing the airhole. Observe what colour flames are
produced.
• Switch off the Bunsen burner and allow it to cool
• Record your observations in the table below
Results:
Table 1
Airhole
Was the flame
noisy or quiet?
Flame colour
Other
observations
closed
half-closed
open
Why should the airhole be closed when you light the Bunsen burner?