Using Bunsen Burners

Using Bunsen Burners

Poll

Which one would you want to be able to control?

• Earth

• Air

• Water

• Fire

Why might you use a Bunsen burner?

The Bunsen burner was invented by Robert Bunsen in 1854 in order to have a hotter and smokeless flame that could be used inside laboratories.


It is now the most common way of heating things up in the lab. For example, you might need it to boil a solution, burn a piece of metal, start a chemical reaction, sterilize a test tube.

Let's label the parts of a Bunsen burner!

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Parts of a Bunsen

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Word Bank

• Airhole

• Base

• Flame

• Chimney / Barrel

• Collar

• Rubber Tube

Fire needs oxygen to burn, and the air hole on the Bunsen burner controls how much oxygen gets in.

Turning the collar changes the air hole size, which makes the flame change colour from yellow (less oxygen) to blue (more oxygen).

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The Air Hole and Collar

​When the air hole is closed, the flame is yellow, cooler, and makes soot. This yellow flame is called the safety flame and is used when the burner is on but not heating, because it is easy to see.

When the air hole is open, more oxygen mixes in, making a blue flame, which is hotter, cleaner, and better for heating during experiments.

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​Before we light a Bunsen, we have to think about SAFETY!

Word Cloud

Can you think of a way we can stay safe around Bunsen burners?

(only one or two words)

1. Glue the sheet into your books

2. Write a reason for why you need to follow each safety rule

There may be more than one reason for a safety rule. Can you find someone who has a different reason for a rule than you?

Safety
Rules and Reasons

What are 3 things you didn't know before watching a Bunsen burner be lit?

Demonstration


Get a whiteboard and write down the steps you notice.

Multiple Choice

What does the air hole on a Bunsen burner do?

• Controls the gas flow

• Controls the oxygen flow to the flame

• Connects to the gas supply

• Holds the flame in place

Multiple Choice

What colour is the flame when the air hole is closed?

• Blue

• Yellow

• Red

• Green

Multiple Choice

Why is the yellow flame called the safety flame?

• Because it is the hottest flame

• Because it is easier to see when the burner is not heating

• Because it burns the cleanest

• Because it produces no soot

Multiple Choice

What safety equipment should you always wear when using a Bunsen burner?

• Sunglasses

• Safety goggles

• Gloves only

• No safety equipment needed

Multiple Select

What should you do before lighting a Bunsen burner?

Hint: there are two correct answers

• Make sure the air hole is open

• Make sure the air hole is closed

• Turn on the gas fully immediately

• Light the match before turning on the gas

Multiple Choice

What part of the Bunsen burner connects it to the gas supply?

• Collar

• Chimney / Barrel

• Rubber Tubing

• Base

Multiple Select

When should you turn off the gas on the Bunsen burner?

Hint: there are two correct answers

• Immediately after use

• While the flame is still burning

• Only when you change the flame colour

• Never

Multiple Choice

What happens if the flame produces soot?

• It is burning completely

• It is burning incompletely and creating dirty deposits

• The flame is blue and hot

• The burner is off

Multiple Choice

What should you do if the Bunsen burner flame goes out?

• Turn off the gas immediately

• Keep trying to light it without turning the gas off

• Leave the gas on and walk away

• Increase the gas flow without caution

Multiple Choice

In case of a fire emergency in the lab, what is the first thing you should do?

• Try to put the fire out yourself without telling anyone

• Turn off the gas, alert the teacher, and follow emergency procedures

• Run away shouting

• Ignore it and continue working

Multiple Choice

When lighting a match to light the Bunsen burner, you should:

• Light the match close to your fingers

• Light the match away from your body and the burner

• Light the match under the burner

• Light the match and immediately put it on the burner

Multiple Choice

Why should you never cross your hands over the flame or tubing when lighting or adjusting the burner?

• It looks untidy

• To avoid burning or accidentally knocking the burner

• It makes the flame go out

• It is faster not to cross hands

Multiple Choice

What should you do if you smell gas but don’t see a flame?

• Turn off the gas immediately and tell the teacher

• Turn up the gas to try and light it

• Ignore it and start your experiment

• Open the windows and continue

Multiple Select

What safety step should you always do before using a Bunsen burner?

Hint: there are two correct answers

• Tie back long hair and secure loose clothing

• Wear sandals and shorts

• Pour water on the burner

• Have the hole closed and the safety flame on whenever you are not doing the actual task