2007-08-30 09:12:06 · 4 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Low boiling point liquids tend to be flamable and have very low flash points (the temperature required to ignite them). These usually fall into the category of organic chemicals. This class of chemicals includes things like ethanol, gasoline, propane, methane, etc. Since a Bunsen burner uses an open flame, it will quickly ignite the vapors of these substances, leading to a fire, if not an explosion.
2007-08-30 09:29:16 · answer #1 · answered by samwilhop 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you meant low boiling point liquid. The amount of heat being pushed into the system is very high in the bunsen burner. You will boil off the first liquid (lower bp) very quickly. The goal in a distillation is a moderate rate of boiling because you are attempting to separate the liquids. By boiling too quickly, you may actually add the 2nd component back into 1st by rapidly boiling off the first and then quickly hitting the 2nd bp.
2007-08-30 09:19:03 · answer #2 · answered by serf_tide 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coming to a boil too quickly is a pretty good reason not too.
Also, aren't a lot of low boiling point liquids flamable with flamable vapors? Been a while since chemistry class. I am guessing low boiling point does not include water.
2007-08-30 09:17:53 · answer #3 · answered by A.Mercer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cos it might heat up too quickly?
2007-08-30 09:16:01 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋