Title: Bunsen burner Flame

Hypothesis: as the height of the flame above the top of the burner increases, the temperature
increases as well.
Aim: to determine how temperature varies with the height of the flame above the top of the
Bunsen burner
Theory:
Apparatus:
1. Retort stand
2. Fire resistant metal ruler
3. Fire resistant tongs
4. Bunsen burner
5. Digital thermocouple thermometer
Diagram:
Diagram 1: diagram showing how the apparatus is to be set up
Variables:
Controlled: the reference point from which the height readings are taken, the amount of gas flow
in the Bunsen burner
Manipulating: the height at which the temperature readings are to be taken from above the top of
the Bunsen burner
Responding: the temperature of the flame
Method:
1. Set up the apparatus as shown in diagram one above.
2. Record the height of the top of the Bunsen burner, hi.
3. Light the Bunsen burner.
4. Regulate the air flow by adjusting the gas flow valve and the collar until a blue steady
flame is obtained. No further changes to the gas flow valve and collar should be made
throughout the entirety of the experiment.
5. Place the thermometer at a height of 1cm above the top of the burner, using the ruler as a
guide. Record the temperature reading on the thermometer.
6. Repeat step 5 increasing the height of the thermometer above the top of burner by 1cm
until 7 readings are obtained.
Results:
Table 1: table showing the height of the thermometer above the burner and the corresponding
temperatures
 Height/cm Temperature/ oC

Data analysis:
1. Plot a graph of temperature vs height.
2. Comment on the relationship between the temperature and height of the flame. The
relationship should be proportional.
3. At what height did the hottest temperature occur?
Discussion:
This experiment is to be carried out to determine how the temperature of a flame varies with
height above the Bunsen burner. It should be seen that as the height of the flame increases, the
temperature increases as well. This is because combustion occurs at the point above the inner
core of the flame and hence here should be the hottest region. All the unreacted gas remains at
the top of the burner (bottom of the flame) and hence here should be the ‘coolest’ part of the
flame.
A metal ruler should be used as it will be able to withstand the high temperatures of the Bunsen
flame. A thermocouple thermometer should be used as it will be able to measure the high
temperatures of the flame. It is also conveniently designed to be placed inside the flame. The
flame is to be kept at a constant overall height and the height of the thermometer is to be
manipulated instead because if the height of the entire flame is to be adjusted for each readings
the gas flow will need to be adjusted. This may cause an external increase in the temperature of
the gas which would hinder the results of this experiment.
Precaution should be taken to ensure that the experimenter is wearing fire resistant clothing and
gloves to prevent any burns. The thermometer should also be held with a fire resistant tongs as
the thermometer needs to go inside the flame. The windows and doors in the laboratory should
also be closed to present any drafts that may extinguish the flame. A possible source of error that
may occur is that the flame may not be steady throughout the experiment which may cause the
height readings to be difficult to take.
Bunsen burners are used in laboratories for any experiment involving heat as it is a safe way to
produce a flame. By knowing how the height affects temperature, lab technicians can adjust the
valves to produce a flame of a particular height for specific used.