Bunsen burner flame gets colder with air hole fully open

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In summary, a Bunsen burner flame is a hot blue gas flame used in laboratories for heating and sterilizing, named after its inventor Robert Bunsen. Adjusting the air hole affects the temperature of the flame by controlling the amount of oxygen in the mixture. The ideal flame setting depends on the purpose, with a medium blue flame recommended for general use. As the air hole is adjusted, the flame's color and temperature change, with a fully open air hole resulting in a pale blue, low-temperature flame, a partially open air hole producing a medium blue flame, and a closed air hole resulting in a yellow, high-temperature flame.
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mcairtime
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Hello,

My GCSE class just did a practical investigation into how the width of a Bunsen's air hole affects the temperature change of a beaker of water. The entire class found as expected that the size of the temperature change increased as the hole was opened further, but they all found that with the air hole fully open the temperature change was smaller than the previous data point.

Any thoughts as to why?

Thanks very much
 
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  • #2
Eventually there's more are than needed to react with the fuel and the extra air still has to be heated.
 

What is a Bunsen burner flame?

A Bunsen burner flame is a type of gas flame used in laboratories for heating and sterilizing purposes. It is named after its inventor, Robert Bunsen, and produces a hot blue flame by mixing gas with air in a controlled manner.

Why does the Bunsen burner flame get colder with the air hole fully open?

The Bunsen burner flame gets colder with the air hole fully open because more air is entering the mixture, causing it to become more diluted. This reduces the amount of fuel available to burn, resulting in a lower temperature flame.

How does the air hole affect the temperature of the Bunsen burner flame?

The air hole affects the temperature of the Bunsen burner flame by controlling the amount of oxygen that is mixed with the gas. The more open the air hole is, the more oxygen enters the mixture, resulting in a hotter flame. Conversely, a closed air hole will result in a cooler flame.

What is the ideal setting for the Bunsen burner flame?

The ideal setting for the Bunsen burner flame depends on the purpose of its use. For general heating and sterilization, a medium blue flame is recommended. However, for more precise experiments, a hotter or cooler flame may be necessary, and the air hole can be adjusted accordingly.

How does the Bunsen burner flame change as the air hole is adjusted?

As the air hole is adjusted, the Bunsen burner flame will change in color and temperature. A fully open air hole will result in a pale blue flame with a lower temperature, while a partially open air hole will produce a medium blue flame. A closed air hole will result in a yellow flame with a higher temperature due to incomplete combustion.

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