A beaker is a cylindrical container with a flat bottom, a beak, and a spout used for mixing, stirring, and heating liquids in laboratories. It is made of borosilicate glass or other types of heat-resistant glass to withstand high temperatures and thermal shock. Beakers come in various sizes, ranging from small beakers with a few milliliters capacity to large ones with a capacity of several liters.
Beakers are designed for ease of use and versatility. The cylindrical shape allows easy stirring and mixing of liquids, while the flat bottom makes them stable on a flat surface. The spout allows for easy pouring of liquids, while the beak facilitates precise pouring without spilling or splashing. Beakers may also come with graduations etched onto the glass to allow for more accurate measurements of liquids.
Beakers are commonly used in chemistry, biology, and other scientific fields for various applications such as preparing solutions, measuring liquids, heating and boiling liquids, and mixing chemicals. They are also used in classrooms for educational purposes to demonstrate experiments to students.
Beakers can be easily cleaned and sterilized, making them a versatile and useful tool in laboratory settings. They are usually used in combination with other laboratory glassware such as graduated cylinders, pipettes, and burettes, to ensure accurate measurements and precise results.