Test tube facts for kids
A test tube is a common piece of laboratory glassware. Think of it as a long, thin glass tube, open at the top, usually with a rounded edge (called a lip) and a U-shaped bottom. It looks a bit like a finger!
Scientists and students use test tubes for many different experiments. They are perfect for holding small amounts of samples, like liquids or powders, especially when you need to heat them up or mix them carefully.
Contents
What Are Test Tubes Like?
Test tubes come in various sizes. They can be just a few inches long or much longer, and their width (called diameter) can range from a few millimeters to a couple of centimeters.
Why Are They Made of Special Glass?
Most test tubes are made from a strong type of glass called borosilicate glass. You might know it by brand names like Pyrex or Kimax. This special glass is very good at handling heat. It doesn't crack easily when it gets hot or cools down quickly. This is super important because test tubes are often held directly in a flame from a Bunsen burner to heat up samples.
How Are Test Tubes Used?
Test tubes are often chosen over other lab containers, like beakers, when you need to work with many small chemical or biological samples. Imagine doing an experiment where you need to test 20 different reactions – test tubes are perfect for keeping each reaction separate and organized.
Test Tubes for Blood Samples
A special type of test tube called a Vacutainer is used in hospitals and clinics. These are designed specifically for collecting and storing blood samples safely.
Images for kids
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Louis Lumière with a microscope and some test tubes.
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An illustration showing an ignition tube being heated by a Bunsen burner. The heated gas escapes through a delivery tube.
See also
In Spanish: Tubo de ensayo para niños
