#3 Entry- Experiment: Bunsen Burner

Elements, Compounds and Mixtures

Today, we started of by conducting en experiment with bunsen burner.

Before we started any experiment or lessons proper, Mr Foo reminded us of the lab rules and regulations such as: no hair hanging loose as it may get burnt. We were told where to obtain our safety goggles, test tubes, beakers etc.

After that, we were given a worksheet, with the experiment steps on them. The first page was on the parts of the bunsen burner.

This is how the bunsen burner looks like:

(Source: http://kids.britannica.com/comptons/art-53017/The-Bunsen-burner-consists-of-a-metal-burner-tube-on )

After we had a demonstration by Mr Foo, we started on the experiment ourselves.

Steps:

1. Connect the bunsen burner to the gas source and turn it on

2. Close the air holes

3. Strike the match 

4. Adjust the flame by adjusting the air hole

What to look out for: Flame color

The different flame color is resulted by the oxygen and carbon that the flame gets. 

Here is a picture to explain why the flame is of a certain color.

(Source: http://kohyizhescienceeportfolio.wordpress.com/2011/08/21/term-1-second-entry-a-bunsen-burner/ )

Part 2 of the experiment was to test which part of the flame was the hottest. We held a copper wire with  tongs, over the flame. 

Since the flame was divided into 3 parts: The bottom of the flame, the tip of the blue flame and the combustion part of the flame (orange)

The tip of the blue flame was the hottest area as we observed that the copper wire caught *'fire' the fastest there. (*copper wire turned orange) 

Later, we moved on to plot the table of results. Initially, my partner plotted our tables wrongly by placing the independent variable on the right of the table and the dependent variable on the left. However, we realized that when we present information in a table form, the independent variable on the left and the dependent on the right.

Lastly, we had to research on the element we had 'adopted' the previous lesson. I adopted the element Helium and found out some facts about it.

Reflections:

Today was enjoyable as I got to handle an apparatus that I have never used in my life before, hence it was fun. However, since we handling with fire, I was a little tentative. But it was all well and nice, and I learnt a great deal of things today.

Next lesson: Periodic table, Elements, Compounds and Mixtures