Bunsen Burner

It’s time to make things burn for Science!

We could use sticks, wood, or a bbq to heat everything up in the lab, although things would get messy very quickly. Scientist like things to be neat and precise so that we can repeat experiments without too much confusion with the setup. This is why the Bunsen Burner is so important.

A Bunsen burner allows us to heat something the same time every time. We also use standard tools such as tripods and gauze mats to spread out the heat. These tools together, keep the lab safe and allow us to pack equipment away when it’s not needed (unlike a fire pit or bbq in the bench…)

When using a Bunsen Burner, it is important that safety is kept in mind to avoid any accidents. The correct steps are jumbled below. Number them first in your book in what “YOU” think the correct order is. After everyone is done, the answers will be shown on the board. Copy down into your books, the correct order.

  • a. Get all the equipment needed for the lesson, including: safety glasses, Bunsen Burner, etc.
  • b. Return equipment under bench
  • c. Turn from safety flame to blue flame
  • d. Light the burner
  • e. Connect the hose firmly onto the gas tap
  • f. Put your safety glasses on
  • g. Strike the match to light it
  • h. Turn on the gas tap
  • i. Turn from blue flame to safety flame
  • j. Close the hole on the burner
  • k. Turn off the gas tap when done
  • l. Place burner on the tile

***Spoilers below***





***Correct Order Below***

  • a. Get all the equipment needed for the lesson, including: safety glasses, Bunsen Burner, etc.
  • f. Put your safety glasses on
  • e. Connect the hose firmly onto the gas tap
  • j. Close the hole on the burner
  • g. Strike the match to light it
  • h. Turn on the gas tap
  • d. Light the burner
  • c. Turn from safety flame to blue flame
  • i. Turn from blue flame to safety flame
  • k. Turn off the gas tap when done
  • l. Place burner on the tile
  • b. Return equipment under bench

Make it boil!!

Aim: To see the effect of salt on boiling water
Hypothesis: IF salt is added to water, THEN the boiling point will increase.
Method:
1. Setup Bunsen
2. Fill 125ml of water into beaker (using measuring cylinder)
3. Place beaker over heating flame
4. Time & check the temperature once per minute
5. Once water is boiling stop experiment (same measurement 2 times in a row is boiling)
6. Repeat with same amount of water but add 2 teaspoons of salt.

Results

Time (min)Fresh Water (°C)Salt water (°C)
0
13526
24540
35562
46582
57695
68699
79599
896100
996100
Draw a graph in your books using the information listed above or that you collect during the practical.

Discussion

Answer the following questions in your book.

What did we change in the experiment?


What did we measure during the experiment?


What observations were made?


Was this a fair/valid experiment? (Would you trust your results as real science?)


What could we do to improve the results?


Introduction to Variables

Earlier I was mentioning that Science likes to keep things consistent and the same so it can be repeatable everywhere. Below are a few terms which we use to make it a whole lot easier to achieve this.

Variable: Is a “Factor”, it is able to be changed, measured or modified during experiments.

Independent Variable: This is the thing that YOU are changing in your experiment. E.g. type, concentration, chemical, flame, etc.

Dependent Variable: This is the thing that YOU are measuring in your experiment. E.g. Temperature, distance, force, mass, etc.

Control Variable: This is what YOU must keep the same to ensure it is a fair experiment. E.g. Volume, container, conditions, etc.

List what the variables were in your previous experiment