During the boiling liquids, "bumping" sometimes occurs. define this term and suggest ways of eliminating this

Question

or at least perhaps minimizing this

Answer 1

Bumping is the sudden, irregular boiling of liquids, especially organic liquids. It occurs becaue the liquid becomes superheated, then boils suddenly in one spot at the bottom of the vessel. The way to avoid this is by adding "boiling stones." There are special "saucers" made of porous ceramic. Chemists smash these saucers, take small fragments, and add the to organic liquids before beginning to heat.

URGENT WARNING! If you have begun to heat an organic liquid, and if bumping has started, do not add a boiling stone! If you do, the liquid will boil suddenly and explosively. If you have been heating the liquid with a gas burner, and the burner is still lit nearby, the resuilts could be catastrophic.