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beaker

Primary Information
Secondary Information

Definition

A beaker is a piece of laboratory equipment that is used to hold liquids. It is a tall, cylindrical container with a flat bottom and a pouring spout. Beakers are typically made of glass or plastic, and they come in a variety of sizes.

Parts of a beaker:

  • Body: The body of a beaker is the main part of the container. It is typically made of glass or plastic, and it is often transparent so that the contents of the beaker can be seen.
  • Body of a beaker
  • Spout: The spout is the narrow opening at the top of the beaker. It is used to pour liquids out of the beaker.
  • Spout of a beaker
  • Graduations: Some beakers have graduations, which are markings on the side of the beaker that indicate the volume of liquid that is contained in the beaker.
  • Graduations of a beaker
  • Base: The base of a beaker is the bottom of the container. It is typically flat to provide stability for the beaker.

Uses of a beaker:

  • Beakers are used for a variety of purposes in science, including:
  • Mixing liquids: Beakers are often used to mix different liquids together. This is because they are easy to clean and they have a wide mouth that makes it easy to add and remove liquids.
  • Heating liquids: Beakers can also be used to heat liquids. This is because they are made of heat-resistant materials. However, it is important to be careful when heating liquids in beakers, as they can shatter if they are heated too quickly.
  • Storing liquids: Beakers can also be used to store liquids. This is because they are airtight, which means that the liquids will not evaporate.
  • Making measurements: Beakers with graduations can be used to make measurements of the volume of liquids. This is done by reading the graduations on the side of the beaker.

Safety precautions:

  • When using beakers, it is important to take the following safety precautions:
  • Use beakers that are the appropriate size for the task at hand.
  • Do not heat beakers that are not made of heat-resistant materials.
  • Be careful when pouring liquids out of beakers, as they can splash.
  • Do not use beakers that are cracked or chipped.
  • Clean beakers thoroughly after use.

How can the word be used?

The chemist placed the solution in a beaker.

beaker

Different forms of the word

Noun: beaker.

Adjective: beakerlike.

Verb: to beaker.

Plural: beakers.

Etymology

The word "beaker" comes from the Middle English word "becher," which is derived from the Old French word "becer," meaning "drinking vessel." The Old French word "becer" is ultimately derived from the Latin word "bicĕr," which also means "drinking vessel.".

Question

What are the parts of a beaker?

AQA Science Exam Question and Answer

Question:

Why are beakers used in science experiments?

Answer:

Beakers are used in science experiments for a number of reasons. They are:

  • Easy to clean: Beakers are made of materials that are easy to clean, such as glass or plastic. This is important because it prevents contamination of the experiment.
  • Affordable: Beakers are relatively inexpensive, which makes them a cost-effective option for scientific experiments.
  • Versatile: Beakers can be used for a variety of purposes in science experiments, such as mixing liquids, heating liquids, and storing liquids.
  • Precise: Beakers with graduations can be used to make precise measurements of the volume of liquids.

In addition to these reasons, beakers are also transparent, which allows scientists to see the contents of the beaker. This can be helpful for monitoring the progress of an experiment.