Starter quiz
- Why is it important to follow safety instructions in a science laboratory?
- To finish experiments quickly
- To prevent accidents and injuries ✓
- To take breaks
- To get the right result
-
- What general precaution should be taken when working near an open flame?
- Keeping flammable materials away ✓
- Placing hands over the flame
- Wearing loose clothing
-
- Which tool is commonly used to create a controlled flame in a laboratory?
- A flame thrower
- A candle
- A Bunsen burner ✓
- A match
-
- What is a common object used to light a flame in the laboratory?
- a match ✓
- a lighter
- a taser
- rubbing stones together
-
- Fill in the blank: Always ______ the teacher if there is an unexpected situation during the experiment.
- 'alert' ✓
- Fill in the blank: It's crucial to ______ any open flame when not in use.
- 'extinguish' ✓
Exit quiz
- What part of the Bunsen burner remains cool even when it is lit?
- The flame
- The heavy base ✓
- The gas tap
-
- What colour is the flame when the collar of a Bunsen burner is open?
- Yellow
- Blue ✓
- Orange
- Red
- Purple
-
- Fill in the blank: A ______ is used to light a Bunsen burner.
- 'splint' ✓
- How should a lit splint be carried?
- Flame pointing upwards
- Flame pointing downwards a little and shielded with the other hand ✓
- Holding the flame close to the body
- It should never be carried around the lab
-
- Arrange the following actions in the correct order when lighting a Bunsen burner.
- 1⇔Check the collar is in the closed position and the gas tap is off.
- 2⇔Use the nearest lit Bunsen burner to light the end of a splint.
- 3⇔Walk to your unlit Bunsen burner at a safe speed.
- 4⇔Turn the gas tap on.
- 5⇔Place your splint near the chimney. Your Bunsen should light an orange flame
- 6⇔Turn the collar to open the air hole to get a blue flame.
- Match each of the coloured flames to how open/closed the collar needs to be.
- orange ‘safety’ flame⇔gas tap fully closed ✓
- blue ‘gentle heating’ flame⇔gas tap partially open ✓
- blue ‘roaring’ flame⇔gas tap fully open ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- The heavy base of a Bunsen burner does not get hot
- Opening the air hole on a Bunsen burner changes the flame from orange and sooty to a hotter, cleaner, blue flame.
- Adjusting the gas tap controls the size of the Bunsen burner flame.
- A splint used to light a Bunsen burner should be lit from the nearest Bunsen burner that is already lit.
- A lit splint should be carried with the flame angled slightly downwards and shielded by the other hand.
Common misconception
All the Bunsen is hot, flames are the same temperature.
Ask pupils to explain why they are able to turn the collar without getting burnt. Explain why it is important to select the correct flame.
Keywords
Bunsen burner - A piece of laboratory equipment used to heat substances in scientific experiments.
Blue flame - A hot flame used for heating, produced when the collar is open to allow more air/oxygen in. It is dangerous because it can be difficult to see.
Safety flame - An orange flame produced when the collar is closed, allowing less air/oxygen in. It is cooler than a blue flame and easier to see, making it safer.
Collar - A small metal piece that can be turned to change the flame from orange to blue; it does not get hot.
Splint - A thin, long piece of wood used to light Bunsen burners.