Bunsen Burner Lab
Name_____________________
Date_________ Period_______
Purpose:
 To learn the parts of the Bunsen burner
 To adjust the burner to give a hot, safe flame
 To use the burner safely
Caution: Wear eye protection
Procedure Part I: Be sure to get teacher’s initials in the ovals where indicated.
1. Take the Bunsen Burner apart. Get your teacher’s initials for taking it apart
or for putting it back together.
2. Put the burner together and hook it up to the gas source on your lab table.
Get your teacher’s initials if you did not get initials for taking it apart.
3. Light
step:
-
the burner as follows. Place a check mark on the line after completing each
Close the gas adjustment knob all the way. _____
Open the gas adjustment slightly three turns. _____
Close the air port. (clockwise-close). Open three turns. _____
Light a match. _____
Turn on the gas. _____
Bring the lighted match to the top of the burner from the side
rather than from above (as demonstrated by your teacher). _____
Adjust the air supply, using the air ports, until a double bluish cone appears.
The gas supply valve may also have to be closed slightly. _____
4. The temperature range of the flame is indicated in Figure 2. Observe the differences
in the temperature within the flame by inserting a piece of iron wire into various parts
of the flame. Compare the amount of time it takes for the wire to glow or the flame to
turn red. Place the wire in a 250 mL beaker to cool.
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Bunsen Burner Lab continued…
Note:
 The outer part of the flame is a pale color; it is the oxidizing cone. The inner part of
the flame is a rich blue color; it is the reducing cone.
 The hottest part of the flame is above the tip of the reducing cone.
 A yellow flame means the burner is set improperly.
 Flame should be quiet and steady.
Procedure Part II: Heating Methods
To heat a test tube over a flame:
Grasp the tube with a test tube holder and move the tube back and forth across the
flame (Figure 3).
Be careful not to point the tube at anyone, yourself included, while it is being heated.
Perform this procedure with a test tube half filled with water. Heat to boiling.
Check temperature with a thermometer. Record temperature on Data table I.
Place the test tube in a 250 mL beaker and allow to cool.
Turn off the gas and disconnect the burner.
Make a large Table similar to the one below. Write detailed observations during the lab
activity.
Data Table I - Observations
Item
Observations
- Bunsen burner
- Flame
- Wire
- Test Tube
- Water: Boiling point temperature
Conclusion
Write a detailed description of all you learned about the burner and the flame.
Use the proper format for writing a conclusion.
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