beaker
BEE-ker
/ˈbiːkər/
A cylindrical glass container with a flat bottom and a pouring lip, used for mixing, heating, and holding liquids in laboratories.
Beakers are primarily for general mixing and holding, not for precise volume measurements, unlike graduated cylinders or volumetric flasks.
The story behind the word. The word 'beaker' comes to us from the Old Norse word 'bikarr,' meaning 'cup.' This term traveled through Dutch and Middle English, eventually settling into its modern form. It originally referred to a drinking cup, often one with a spout, and later adapted to describe the similar-looking laboratory vessel.
Word relationships
- flask: A flask often has a narrower neck and may be designed for specific reactions (e.g., Erlenmeyer flask, volumetric flask).
- container: A general term; 'beaker' specifies a type of lab container.
Commonly confused with
- graduated cylinder: A graduated cylinder is designed for accurate volume measurement, while a beaker is for approximate volumes and general handling.
Collocations
- glass beaker
- plastic beaker
- fill a beaker
- heat a beaker
Example sentences
- "The chemistry teacher carefully poured the blue liquid from the flask into a large glass beaker, ready for the next step of the experiment." Chemistry class demonstration
- "We used a 250 mL beaker to heat the solution gently over the Bunsen burner." Laboratory procedure
Memory hook
Imagine a 'BEE' buzzing around a 'KER'osene lamp, which is sitting on a lab 'BEAKER'. BEE-ker: lab cup
When not to use
Do not use a beaker when precise volume measurement is required. Do not use for reactions that produce highly corrosive or volatile gases without proper ventilation.
Fun facts
- The pouring lip on a beaker is often called a 'spout' or 'beak,' which might be related to the word's origin.
- Beakers are typically made of borosilicate glass (like Pyrex or Kimax) to withstand thermal shock.
Related words
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