How to Use Beakers

Beakers are found in most labs.

A beaker is a cylindrical container used to store, mix and heat liquids in laboratories. Most are made of glass, but other non-corrosive materials, such as metal and heat-resistant plastic, are also used. Beakers usually have a flat bottoms and a lip around the top. They range in size from one millimeter to multi-liter. Bunsen burners, heat plates, stirrers, safety tongs, safety goggles, gloves and lab coats are tools commonly used when working with beakers.

Things You'll Need

• Beaker
• Stirrer
• Burner or open flame
• Safety tongs

Instructions

1. Pour liquid into the beaker; pour slowly to avoid splashing the liquid. Use the measuring lines on the beaker to approximate the volume of liquid in the beaker.

2. Stir the liquid inside the beaker with a spoon or stirrer.

3. Center the beaker on a burner or over an open flame to heat the liquid, if necessary; don't fill the beaker more that 1/3 when heating and always use safety tongs when handling a hot beaker.

4. Pour liquid out of the beaker by using the spout in the lip around the top of the beaker.

References

• Practical Chemistry.org: Heating Substances

Resources

• Indigo Instruments: Chemistry Lab Glass Beaker
• Princeton: Lab Safety Manual