Beaker facts for kids
Beakers of several sizes
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| Uses | Liquid volume containment and measurement |
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| Related items | Laboratory flask |
A beaker is a very common and important tool in a science lab. Scientists and students use them all the time! Imagine a simple container shaped like a cylinder. It's usually made of glass, plastic, or a special strong glass called borosilicate glass.
What is a Beaker?
Beakers have a few key features that make them special:
- Cylindrical Shape: They are shaped like a cylinder. This means their sides go straight up and down.
- Lip and Spout: At the top, beakers have a small bend in the rim. This is called a "spout." It helps you pour liquids out easily without spilling.
- Stable Design: Beakers are usually about as wide as they are tall. This design makes them very stable. They won't tip over easily when you are working in the lab.
How Are Beakers Used?
Beakers are like the workhorses of the lab! They are super useful for many different tasks. Here are some of their main jobs:
- Holding Liquids: Their main job is to hold liquids. This could be water, a chemical mix, or a sample. Beakers are perfect for holding all sorts of fluids.
- Mixing Solutions: Scientists often use beakers to mix different chemicals. This helps them create new solutions. Their wide opening makes it easy to stir or swirl things inside.
- Heating Liquids: Many beakers can be heated. This is especially true for those made of borosilicate glass. You can heat them over a Bunsen burner or on a hot plate. This helps dissolve solids or speed up chemical reactions.
- Rough Measurements: Beakers have marks on their side. These marks show approximate volumes, like 50 mL or 100 mL. But these marks are not super accurate. If you need a very exact measurement, you would use other tools. A graduated cylinder or a volumetric flask are better for precise measuring. Beakers are great for getting a general idea of how much liquid you have.
Why Are Beakers Important?
Beakers are probably the most used piece of lab glassware. This is because they are simple, stable, and can be used for many things. They are needed for almost any experiment or science project. If it involves liquids, a beaker will likely be there! From school science projects to advanced research, beakers play a big role in labs everywhere.
