Period 1
9/24/2012
The Bunsen Burner and Boiling Water
The Bunsen Burner is a piece of laboratory equipment that produces a single flame which is used for heating, sterilizing, and combustion. The gas used in Bunsen burners can be natural gas like methane, or propane, butane, or a mixture of both which are all liquefied petroleum gas. The Bunsen burner was named after a man named Robert Bunsen. In 1855 Robert Bunsen invited the Bunsen burner and it is now used all over the world in laboratories everywhere. The Bunsen burner safely burns a continuous stream of flammable gas. The hose barb is connected to a gas nozzle on the laboratory bench with rubber tubing. Most laboratory benches are equipped with multiple gas nozzles connected to a central gas source, as well as a vacuum, nitrogen, and steam nozzles. Bunsen burner flames depend on air flow in the throat holes. 1. Air hole closed. 2. Air hole slightly open. 3. Air hole half open. 5. Almost fully open which creates a roaring blue flame. The coolest flame is a yellow/ orange color. It is about 300 degrees Celsius. 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, 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 about 500 degrees Celsius. 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 that makes a noise. It is 700 degrees Celsius. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius or 212 degrees Fahrenheit. The boiling point of water depends on the pressure in the atmosphere, which changes do to elevation. Water boils at a lower temperature as you gain altitude. Water also boils at a higher temperature is you increase the atmospheric pressure. Boiling point of water can also depend on how pure the water is. Water with impurities will boil at a higher