[Chemistry Class Notes] on Bending a Glass Tube Experiment Pdf for Exam

Science can be learned better when you are able to test every theory and principle through experiments. We at aim to bring such possible experiments for a better learning experience for the students. In this particular article, we shall know all about the Bending a Glass Tube experiment that is the – 

So let us begin our learning!

Introduction 

The bending of a glass tube experiment helps us gain insight into the nature of glass and its innate properties. Glass is a material that is traditionally used for decorative purposes but also as a transparent barrier that allows for relatively safe observation. While many types of glass can be manufactured, we will be dealing with the most standard, commonly manufactured glass which is quite malleable under the influence of heat. Glass is an amorphous, crystalline solid which requires an understanding of handling it with the Bunsen burner in order to bend it successfully without any obstruction or accidental breaking. Here is how the experiment will progress.

Aim: 

To learn, understand, and commit to memorizing the simple process of the bending of a glass tube experiment.

Materials Required: 

One Bunsen burner

One soda-glass tube (20-25cm in length)

Experiment: 

1. Heating tube over the bunsen burner

2. Bending of tube begins due to its own mass

3. Make sure that the bend and the ends of the glass are all in the same plane (coplanar)
   

Procedure: 

• Take the soda-glass tube in both hands (holding it by the ends) and hold it over the flame of the Bunsen burner

• Make sure to focus the heat on one section of the glass tube

• Rotate the glass tube on its axis using fingers and thumbs in order to ensure that the glass is heated uniformly for proper softening

• Be certain to know which way the glass tube must be bent once proper softening is achieved

• The section of the glass that is over the Bunsen burner flame must be red hot in order to perform the next step

• Gently apply force to the red hot area of the glass tube (it will be softened) in order to bend the glass tube into the desired shape and angle

• Once the glass has reached the required shape, simply remove the glass from the flame and turn off the Bunsen burner if no one else has a use for it. 

• Allow the glass to cool by placing it down (be careful to only place it on a glazed tile to avoid damage of the surface)

• The degree of the angles possible through the bending of glass, as well as the conditions for a good and bad bend, are shown in the following diagram.
  

Precautions to be taken:

• When performing the bending of a glass tube experiment, care must be taken to keep fingers at least 4-5 cm away from the Bunsen burner flame and the point of bending of the soda-glass tube.

• The glass tube should be kept far away from the face and should be held as far from the body as possible.

• Care must be taken to not try and bend the glass tube by force before it is red hot and soft enough to bend; doing so may break the glass and cause injury.
  

Conclusion

The glass tube is very brittle and is known to break easily at room temperature. But one can conclude that an amorphous crystalline solid like glass exhibits special properties that allow them to be bent under the effect of intense heat applied to an area. From the bending of a glass tube experiment, one can infer that materials like glass have a wide variety of applications specifically because of how malleable it is and how it can be shaped to the desired orientation if heat is applied properly.