The Bunsen burner

The Bunsen burner is commonly used in school laboratories to heat

chemicals. Its fuel is natural gas, which is almost pure methane, CH 4.
Methane is a hydrocarbon. So the Bunsen burner has an air hole that
allows complete or incomplete combustion.
Air hole open

When the air hole is open, air is drawn into the chimney, where it mixes
with the natural gas. This ensures complete combustion:
methane + oxygen

carbon dioxide + water

A very hot, blue flame is produced.

The hottest part of the flame is at the tip of the dark blue cone
Air hole closed

When the air hole is closed the natural gas can only mix with air at the
mouth of the chimney. Incomplete combustion occurs as a result:
methane + oxygen

carbon monoxide + carbon + water

The yellow flame is often called the safety flame

A yellow flame is produced, which transfers less heat energy than the blue
flame. The yellow flame is brighter than the blue flame because the specks
of carbon glow when heated.