Hi! I am totally stuck on this question:

Question

Explain why a cool flame is important to use in heating a solution to dryness.

Can you please explain to me exactly why because I really do not understand.

thank you!

Answer 1

Hot flames tend to create hot spots and as the solution evaporates it sometimes gets overheated and the liquid becomes superheated. That often creates "bumping" in which the hot spot erupts and that is likely to spatter any solid. If you are doing quantitative work that means the experiment is ruined and if not the least it can do is mess up the bench/floor.