LAB: Laboratory Techniques 1
(Bunsen burner)
Objectives: Students will become familiar with a Bunsen burner and determine the
temperature within different parts of the flame.
Equipment:
Bunsen burner
thermocouple
tubing
LoggerPro
striker
Introduction:
The Bunsen burner is commonly used as a source of heat in the lab. Look at Figure A as you
examine your Bunsen burner and identify the parts. Each burner has a gas inlet located in
the base, a vertical tube or barrel in which the gas (methane) is mixed with air, and
adjustable openings or ports in the base of the barrel. These ports admit air to the gas
stream. The burner may have an adjustable needle valve to regulate the flow of gas. The
burner is always turned off at the gas valve, never at the needle valve.
For laboratory work, adjust the ports so
that the flame is free of yellow color. A
yellow flame indicates incomplete
combustion, which will produce large
amounts of carbon monoxide and black
soot. The flame should also be free of
the “roaring” sound caused by admitting
too much air. An ideal burner flame has
two cones, a blue flame, and extends
about 3 cm above the barrel.
FIGURE A
Procedure:
1. Light the burner by partially closing the ports at the base of the barrel, partially opening
the needle valve to let gas in, turning the gas full on (parallel) at the main valve, and
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striking the striker about 5 cm above the top of the barrel until it lights. If it does not
light within a few seconds, turn the gas off, wait a few minutes and try again.
2. Adjust your flame with the main valve until it is about 3 cm high.
3. Try completely closing the ports at the base of the burner. Note on your data sheet
what effect this has on the flame.
4. Now adjust your supply of air until you have a quiet, steady flame with a sharply
defined, light blue inner cone. This adjustment gives the highest temperature possible
with your burner.
5. Place the lit burner aside as you complete steps 6 thru 8. (Be careful!)
6. One group member must log on to the computer.
7. Connect the thermocouple to the Go! Link Interface.
8. Double click on the Logger Pro icon on the desktop. The program should open up with
a graph and data table.
9. Place the end of the thermocouple into the different parts of the flame as show in Figure
B. Be careful to only put the metal portion of the thermocouple in the flame.
Leave the thermocouple in that position for about 30 s and note the highest
temperature reading for that position. The temperature is shown in the bottom left of
the screen. Record the temperature readings for all positions in the diagram located on
the data sheet. You may use the data sheet to record any other important
observations.
FIGURE B
10. Turn off the flame.
11. Close the LoggerPro program and log off the computer.
12. Return everything to its original location.
13. Have your teacher check your lab station and stamp your lab.
14. Now you can remove your goggles! 
15. Complete the Questions/Analysis section on your data sheet. Be sure to answer in
complete sentences (when applicable).
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Teacher Notes
On every lab table:
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

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Bunsen burner
GoLink
Thermocouple
striker (should be in lab drawer)
Comments:
 note burn hazard
 make sure GoLinks and thermocouples are accounted for when lab is done
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