Boiling Water in a Paper Cup

Return to Transfer of Heat

Description:

Place the paper cup in the ring burner but make sure to position the cup so that the cup's seam is placed towards the small opening on the ring burner to prevent the glue on the seam from heating. Fill the paper cup COMPLETELY with water, otherwise, the top will burn. Turn on the gas and light the ring burner. The paper cup will not burn due to the water and the paper is very thin so heat rapidly conducts to the water. SAFETY NOTICE: The venturi hole (the hole at the back of the ring burner) will occasionally ignite if the gas back tracks to it. If this happens immediately turn off the gas and then relight it.

Note: Since the water is heated on the side, the top of the cup is hot and the bottom is cool and can be touched. This is because water is a poor heat conductor and the heat is mainly transferred by convection from the the side where the flame is and the top of the cup.

Locations:

• Paper Cup: Shelf E-4
• Small Ring Burner: Drawer 59
• Stands: Next to Shelf N
• Clamps: Drawer 123
• Fire resistant gloves: Drawer 42
• Safety goggles: Drawer 142