The Bunsen Burner

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What is a Bunsen Burner?

What is a Bunsen burner?

A BUNSEN BURNER is a common piece of laboratory equipment and you will use it many times this year. It is also one of the most dangerous! This is because it is a device that combines flammable gas with controlled amounts of air to produce a flame.

Why is it called a Bunsen burner?

The Bunsen burner is named after Robert Wilhelm Bunsen, a German chemist. He did not invent the burner. A technician called Peter Desaga designed it. However, Bunsen needed a hot flame for his experiments, so he redesigned it to mix gas and air (oxygen) together before it was burnt. This gave him a cleaner, hotter, more useful flame. This led to huge improvements in the use of gas burners, which is why the burner was named after him.

In our labs, the Bunsen burner uses natural gas from pipes in the classroom and underground. There is an air hole that is adjusted by turning the collar which lets more or less oxygen mix with the gas and therefore produces different coloured flames of different temperatures.

Parts of the Bunsen Burner

What are the different components of a Bunsen burner?

Metal barrel (silver tube) on a metal base (blue).
Gas inlet (hole) at the lower end of the tube, attached to a rubber hose.
Rubber hose attached to the gas tap, where flammable gas is supplied.
A collar (metal ring) near the base.
An air hole underneath the collar.

The collar controls the amount of air, and therefore oxygen that goes into the Bunsen burner. The more oxygen mixed with the flammable gas, the hotter the flame becomes.

The Two Flames

When the airhole is closed, the flame is yellow and called the safety flame as it is more visible and not as hot. The air hole is closed when the Bunsen is lit. The flame is called "dirty" as there is soot produced.

When the airhole is open, the flame is blue and very hot. It is therefore called the heating flame and is used for heating! This flame is often called the "roaring" flame as it makes a noise.

Lighting the Bunsen Burner Safely

Risk Assessment

How to use a Bunsen burner safely!

Tie back long hair. Wear safety glasses.
Check all gear is in good condition and is tight. Tell the teacher if it is not.
Push the rubber tubing onto the gas tap. This connects the Bunsen to the gas supply.
Close the air hole by turning the collar of the Bunsen.
Light a match by striking it away from you.
Push and turn the yellow gas tap knob.
Hold the lit match about 2 cm from the top (with your hand out to the side) of the barrel to produce a yellow safety flame which is easily seen and not as hot. Keep the flame on yellow until it needs to be used for heating.
When the flame needs to be used for heating, turn the collar to half open the air hole.
Use the Bunsen. Keep the flame away from the wall, clothing or hair.
Turn off the Bunsen by turning the gas tap knob the other way.
Place the used match(es) in the sand bucket.
Follow your teachers instructions and return all the gear.

Watch this video on how to light a Bunsen burner safely!

Glossary

Key terms and definitions.