Aim | To demonstrate basic laboratory techniques involving cutting, bending, drawing out, and boring glass and cork. |
Apparatus Required | Glass tube Glass rod Bunsen burner Cork Scalpel Sandpaper Glass cutter Bunsen burner Pliers Glass marker File |
Theory | Basic laboratory techniques are essential for any laboratory work, particularly in chemistry and biology. The techniques for cutting glass tubes and rods, bending glass tubes, drawing out a glass jet, and boring a cork are crucial in laboratory work. Glass tubes and rods are commonly used to measure liquids and gases, while glass jets are used to produce fine streams of liquids. Corks are used as stoppers for laboratory containers. |
Procedure | Cutting Glass Tube and Glass Rod: Mark the glass tube or rod where you want to cut it using a glass marker. Using a glass cutter, score the glass where you marked it. Hold the glass on both sides of the scoreline and snap it apart. Use a file or sandpaper to smooth the edges. Bending a Glass Tube: Heat the glass tube in a Bunsen burner flame until it becomes soft. Use pliers to bend the glass tube to the desired angle. Hold the glass tube in the same position until it cools and hardens. Drawing out a Glass Jet: Heat the glass tube in a Bunsen burner flame until it becomes soft. Pull one end of the tube to make it thinner. Heat the thin part of the tube until it becomes soft. Pull the thin part of the tube to make it even thinner. Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the desired thickness is achieved. Boring a Cork: Using a scalpel, cut a cork to the desired size. Use a glass rod to make a hole in the center of the cork. |
Observation and Results | Observation and Result: Cutting Glass Tube and Glass Rod: Observation: The glass snaps cleanly along the scoreline, leaving a smooth surface. Result: The glass tube or rod is cut to the desired length with a smooth edge. Bending a Glass Tube: Observation: The glass tube becomes soft and pliable when heated. Result: The glass tube is bent to the desired angle and retains its shape when cooled. Drawing out a Glass Jet: Observation: The glass tube becomes thinner and longer when pulled. Result: The glass jet is drawn out to the desired thickness and length. Boring a Cork: Observation: The cork is cut cleanly with a scalpel, and the glass rod makes a hole in the center of the cork. Result: The cork is ready to be used as a stopper for laboratory containers. |