Radiation from Bunsen flames
Practical Activity
for 14-16

Class practical
A simple comparison of the infra-red radiation from two Bunsen flames.
Apparatus and Materials
For each group of students
- Bunsen burners, 2
- Insulating screens
Health & Safety and Technical Notes
Set up insulating screens with central apertures 1 metre from each flame. Then there is no danger of students putting their hands too close.
Read our standard health & safety guidance
Procedure
Light the two Bunsen burners and adjust them so that one flame is clear blue and the other yellow. Ask students to hold the back of their hand about 1 metre from the flames so that they can compare the energy radiating from each.
Teaching Notes
- The object of the experiment is to decide which flame is hotter.
- If the air-hole collars of the burners are easy to adjust, students may use a single burner and change the flame from clear to yellow.
This experiment was safety-tested in March 2006