The flame is normally blue. Does the fact that there is salt in the kettle have anything to do with it?
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2007-09-19 16:29:28 · 9 answers · asked by Wise@ss 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
To fooles.troupe's: I boil salty water to make macaroni (pasta).
To all: The flame only appears yellow when boiling water. It has something to do with boiling the water. It has nothing to do with the gas or the kettle.
I think it has something to do with water vapor in the air from the boiling water.
2007-09-19 16:55:19 · update #1
The flame turns yellow only after the water starts boiling. While the water is heating, but before it boils, the flame is blue.
Nothing to do with the gas or material of the kettle.
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2007-09-19 17:02:15 · update #2
Yes, it is the sodium ion in the salt causing the yellow colouration. All kettles tend to collect a bit of mineral scale on the inner base. This leads to nuclear boiling, which is invariably accompanied by liquid droplet entrainment in the steam. When the steam escapes from the spout the water evaporates leaving fine particulate salt in the air which will settle down. It requires a very tiny quantity of sodium to colour flame yellow.
Having said that, all that the others have posted is also valid under other circumstances. Since it has been additionally clarified that the colouration is only after active boiling starts, the present explanation is offered.
2007-09-20 00:23:01 · answer #1 · answered by A.V.R. 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Regardless of whether you are using natural gas or propane, a yellow flame means a carburized flame. This is when the fuel is not cut with enough oxygen to neutralize the flame. This wastes fuel, and makes for a sooty kitchen, if it goes on for some time.
Have your gas supplier take a look at the stove, it most likely needs adjusting to allow enough air (which is approximately 20% oxygen) to mix with the fuel gas, to create the neutral flame most efficient for cooking.
As others have mentioned, occasionally a copper-bottomed pan can make the flame appear a different color, but I have found this only happens on occasion.
What is in the kettle will have no effect on the color of the flame, since the contents of the kettle will not meet the flame.
2007-09-19 16:50:47 · answer #2 · answered by Cat Lady 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would you be boiling salty water?
Many things may cause colour change.
It also depends on what fuels the flame too.
It might be the metal but if it is an aluminum kettle that means that it is burning, and that won't be the case if the kettle is still in one piece. If it is a steel kettle, that shouldn't happen either. If it is a copper bottom kettle, why wouldn't it show blue?
It is most likely some surface deposit on the base of the kettle.
You only need a very small amount of water on the base to vaporise - since sodium salts can appear in very low concentrations even in 'fresh water', that is the most likely explanation.
2007-09-19 16:34:41 · answer #3 · answered by fooles.troupe 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It may be to do with the metal in the kettle. It may also be that because flame changes colour at different temperatures, that the kettle and/or the water in the kettle are cooling the flame, making it yellow instead of blue.
2007-09-19 16:36:09 · answer #4 · answered by the man 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yellow flame is bad, blue color flame is good. If your stove burns with a yellow flame, it means you are burning liquid fuel. A blue flame means you are burning vaporized fuel, which is hotter and cleaner. On a liquid fuel stove, a yellow flame usually means the stove is not heated up sufficiently to turn the fuel into vapor. Turn the stove down low to allow it to slowly warm the fuel, then slowly turn it up once the flame burns blue. Good luck.
2007-09-19 16:36:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Flame is yellow when not enough air is mixed with the gas. When its blue or colorless, air/ gas mix is correct. The kettle probably is restricting air flow into the burner.
2007-09-19 16:43:10 · answer #6 · answered by Aurium 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maximum electric powered kettles do no longer particularly attain boiling element - they change off beforehand that, so which you are able to no longer kill each and every of the micro organism, which will desire to be killed. i might the two use a range appropriate kettle - the previous form you stand on the hob, or boil it in a saucepan. you're top to chill out it beforehand you upload it to formula. properly achieved.
2016-12-26 19:09:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The metal in the kettle is causing the flame to change color.
2007-09-19 16:34:06 · answer #8 · answered by Michael B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
copper on the bottom of the kettle
2007-09-19 16:35:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋