Exercise No.

3: The
Laboratory Burner
Introduction

The classic device for providing heat in a laboratory experiment is the Bunsen
burner or some modification of it. The gas enters the burner at the base, and its
supply is regulated externally by the gas cock. As the gas streams upward
through a jet inside the base, air is pulled in through the air-intake holes just
above the base. The amount of air can be controlled by rotating a sleeve that
fits over the holes in the barrel of the burner. Maximum air enters when the
holes in the sleeve match those in the barrel. To keep the flame from blowing
out, special tips are frequently provided to fit over the top end of the barrel.

To properly light a laboratory burner, close the air supply, open the gas cock
and place a lighted match approximately 1 cm below the tip of the barrel.
Slowly open the gas regulator until the flame produced is large and yellow.
Gradually open the air-intake holes until the flame takes on a blue color. For
maximum heat, open further so that the two distinct zones appear, the inner of
which is light blue and cone-shaped. The hottest point of the flame is just
above the tip of this inner zone.

In some instances, when the air supply to the burner is increased the flame
blows out or detaches itself from the burner tip. This means that the gas flow is
too great and needs to be cut down. When relighting, remember to follow the
above instructions.

Learning Outcomes

1. To study the different parts and functions of each part of the laboratory
burner.

Materials

 laboratory burner Match Cardboard

 powdered charcoal Glass tubing Evaporating dish
 2 ESci 115b: Chemistry for Engineers

Procedure

Unscrew the barrel of the burner and examine the different parts. Clean
the parts, particularly the gas inlet, state the function of each part. Reassemble
the burner.
Turn on the gas cock. Hold a lighted match 1-cm below the tip of the
nozzle. Slowly open the gas regulator until a flame about 10 cm high is
produced. Observe the appearance of the flame. Hold an evaporating dish over
this flame for 5 seconds. Note what is deposited at the bottom of the
evaporating dish. Open the air holes gradually and note the changes in the
appearance of the flame until the burner begins to roar. (Too much air will
make the flame rustle or roar, with a tendency to snap out.) Adjust the air-
intake holes until the roaring stops. Always use this kind of flame unless
directed otherwise. Hold again the evaporating dish over this flame and
compare your observation with the previous one.
Spray powdered charcoal on the flame and note its effect.
Insert an unlighted match quickly into the flame just above the barrel.
Note whether the match is ignited immediately or not.
Put one end of a 4-inch long glass tubing into the inner cone of the
flame. At the other end, put a lighted match. Note the appearance of the burner
flame.
Wet thoroughly a piece of cardboard. Shake off the excess water. Hold
it vertically through the center of the flame, the lower end of the cardboard
resting against the top of the burner. Remove the cardboard as soon as it
begins to char. From the scorched portions, note the relative temperatures of
the different parts of the flame. Draw a diagram to show your results, indicating
the different regions of heat.
Close the air-intake holes and gas regulator. Turn off the gas cock.

Guide questions and instructions on how to prepare

and submit the laboratory

1. Differentiate a luminous and a non-luminous flame.

2. Does the open area of the air holes increase or decrease as the air
regulator is screwed unto the base?
3. Should the air regulator be loosened or tightened in order to increase
the open area of the air holes?
4. Why should the match stick be held 1 cm below the nozzle when lighting
the burner?

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 st
For instructional purposes only • 1 Semester SY 2020-2021 3

5. What is the chemical composition of soot?

6. What makes a gas flame luminous?
7. At what part of the non-luminous flame should an object be held in order
to receive maximum heat?
This guide questions will serve as your quiz and to be submitted along
with your lab report. The laboratory report sheets provided will be submitted by
the student after every exercise through email or courier. See abridged for the
schedule of submission.

Additional Resources

References

G. Calvez, A. Ramal, and F. Salas. ESci 115b: Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory Manual

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Vision: A globally competitive university for science, technology, and environmental conservation.
TP-IMD-02
Mission: Development of a highly competitive human resource, cutting-edge scientific knowledge V0 07-15-2020
and innovative technologies for sustainable communities and environment. No. DOPAC-IM-
SC002.1