Activity No.

3
COMMON LABORATORY APPARATUS AND THE BUNSEN BURNER

INTRODUCTION

Laboratory is a place where scientific researches and experiments are

conducted. The laboratory contains materials and facilities that are necessary in
performing different laboratory experiments such as measurement, storage, and
reactions. There are different types of laboratory apparatuses and it is very important to
familiarize these materials based on their function. Most laboratory apparatus are used
to measure and deliver exact volumes of different types liquid while some are used as
storage.
On the other hand, one of the frequently used apparatus that provides heat for
different types of reactions or for specific experiment is the Bunsen burner. Bunsen
burner, invented by Robert Bunsen in 1854, is an apparatus that provides a steady,
sootless, non-luminous flame by mixing gas and air in a controlled manner prior to
combustion.[1]
The Bunsen burner produces two types of flame, the Luminous Flame which is
a bright yellow flame produced by lack of combustible air with the production of a black
smoke or soot while the Non-Luminous Flame is a blue flame produced by complete
combustion of the flammable gas mixed with a right amount of air. Non-luminous flame
is a much hotter flame compared to the luminous flame.
In this activity, students are required to familiarize the following common
laboratory apparatus and their functions prior to performing experiments and also to
know how to safely operate the Bunsen burner. Knowledge on the basic functions of
these laboratory apparatus will give students confidence in performing different
laboratory experiments and will provide exposure to the common laboratory apparatus
to be used in the following experiments.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this activity, the students shall be able to:

1. Name common laboratory apparatus;
2. Identify the function of the different laboratory apparatus;
3. Safely operate the Bunsen burner;
4. Distinguish a luminous from a non-luminous flame.

MATERIALS

beaker (250mL) wash bottle Dropper *Bunsen burner

graduated cylinder (10mL) wire gauze stirring rod *crucible tong
Erlenmeyer flask (250mL) watch glass spot plate *evaporating dish
volumetric Flask (250mL) spatula aspirator *match stick
triple beam balance forceps iron stand *tissue paper
mortar and pestle pipette test tube *copper wire (3cm) – 2pcs
crucible with cover funnel rack
test tube hot plate iron ring
alcohol lamp burette thermometer

Note: * - per group; the rest of the materials are for the whole class

1
Ihde, Aaron John (1984). The development of modern chemistry. Courier Dover Publications. pp. 233–236. ISBN 978-0-486-64235-2.

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PROCEDURE

A. Familiarization of Common Laboratory Apparatus

1. Match the following apparatus listed below with their corresponding function
provided in the Data sheet.

beaker alcohol lamp funnel

graduated cylinder wash bottle dropper
Erlenmeyer flask wire gauze crucible tong
volumetric flask watch glass crucible & cover
pipette spatula stirring Rod
burette triple beam balance spot plate
test tube evaporating dish mortar & pestle
test tube rack forceps hot plate
aspirator thermometer Bunsen burner
iron stand iron ring

2. Draw the apparatus that corresponds to function that matches your choice.

B. Setting up the Bunsen Burner

1. Name the parts of the Bunsen burner and describe their function.
2. Make sure to wear the proper laboratory apparel before using the Bunsen
burner.
3. Assemble the burner by connecting the rubber tubing into the gas source
outlet as shown in Figure 1 below.
Bunsen
burner
Gas inlet
Gas tank outlet

Laboratory Table

Gas
Rubber tubing
Tank

Figure 1. Bunsen burner set-up.

4. Check the rubbing tubing for cracks and holes to avoid leaking of gas.
5. Rotate the collar to open the air hole of the barrel.
6. Close the gas needle valve of the burner.
7. Light a matchstick or a lighter and bring the flame near the edge of the barrel.
8. Turn on the valve for the gas source then slowly open the burner needle valve
by rotating via counter clockwise direction.
9. After the burner is lit, put off the flame of the match/lighter and place it away
the burner.
10. Adjust the flame by slowly rotating the burner needle valve in a counter
clockwise to attain a flame height of about 2 -3 inches above the barrel.

DO NOT ALLOW FLAME TO BURN INSIDE THE BARREL

BECAUSE IT MAY PRODUCE A POISONOUS GAS CARBON19
MONOXIDE. IF THE FLAME IS BURNING INSIDE THE BARREL,
IMMEDIATELY TURN OFF THE GAS SOURCE VALVE.