Chapter 6, Problem 6.1CYU

Check Your Understanding The flame of a peach-scented candle has a yellowish color and the flame of a Bunsen’s burner in a chemistry lab has a bluish color. Which flame has a higher temperature?

To determine

The flame which has higher temperature from the flame of a peach-scented candle that has yellowish color and the flame of a Bunsen's burner in a chemistry lab that has a bluish color.

Answer to Problem 6.1CYU

Bluish color flame of Bunsen's Burner has higher Temperature

Explanation of Solution

Given:

The flame of a peach-scented candle that has yellowish color or the flame of a Bunsen's burner in a chemistry lab that has a bluish color.

Introduction:

According to Wien's Law:

The peak wavelength is inversely proportional to its temperature in Kelvin.

  $\lambda \times T=2.8978\times {10}^{-3}\text{mK}$

Where λ is the wavelength in meters, and T is the temperature in Kelvin

Wavelengths of yellow light and blue light are given as follows:

Yellow: 565−590 nm

Blue: 450−485 nm

  $\therefore {\lambda }_{Blue}<{\lambda }_{\begin{array}{l}yellow\\ \end{array}}$

Since wavelength and temperature is inversely proportional

  $\therefore {\text{ T}}_{yellow}<T_{Blue}$

Conclusion:

Bluish color flame of Bunsen's burner has higher Temperature.