# Using a Bunsen Burner 1. Make sure that the rubber hose is attached securely to both the Bunsen burner and the lab's gas outlet. 2. Close the burner's air control by turning the sleeve clockwise. 3. Close the burner's gas control by turning the thumbscrew (needle valve) on the bottom of the burner counterclockwise until it is completely down. 4. Turn gas outlet control on by moving the handle to be parallel with the outlet nozzle. 5. Slightly open the burner's gas control thumbscrew (two to three turns). 6. Position the striker ABOVE and to the SIDE of the burner tube before lighting it. 7. Adjust the burner's air control sleeve to produce BLUE FLAME by turning it counterclockwise. 8. When not using the burner, turn gas off by turning gas outlet control to a PERPENDICULAR position. --- ### Tuning the Flame A bright yellow flame indicates incomplete burning of methane to produce carbon particles (which when heated glow bright yellow). To obtain a hotter flame we must adjust the gas to air ratio. We do this by turning the burner's air control sleeve counterclockwise (as described in Step #7). As you continue to adjust, you should begin to hear a slight _[warbling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqAo7eJqFOI)_ noise similar to a small jet engine. Over time the flame should begin to look similar to the image to the right, with the hottest section being the tip of the inner cone. ![[Bunsen Burner Flame.png|500]] --- > [!warning] > **Never leave a flame unattended:** When a Bunsen burner is not in use, turn it off, or at least turn the air control to produce a more visible yellow flame. > [!warning] > **Never adjust the height of the flame using the gas outlet:** It is simply meant to be an on/off valve. Instead, use the thumbscrew (needle valve) to control the flame's height and the air control sleeve to tune the flame until it is no longer yellow. --- # Heating Substances in a Test Tube ## General Practices - The test tube should be held at an **angle** and with a **test tube holder**. - Repeatedly move the tube **in and out** of the Bunsen flame. - Ensure the tube is never pointing towards anybody. ## Heating Liquids *(Boiling Tubes)* - Boiling tube should be less than **1/10th full**. - **Anti-bumping granules** should be added to prevent the liquid from shooting out the end of the tube. - If the liquid starts to **boil, remove it from the flame** for several seconds until the boiling has stopped. ## Heating Solids *(Test Tubes)* - Test tube should be less than **1/5th full**. --- > [!important] > _When heating flammable substances **DO NOT** use a Bunsen burner. Instead, use a **water bath** as it greatly reduces the risk of a fire breaking out._