Chemical Forums

Chemistry Forums for Students => High School Chemistry Forum => Topic started by: Xuanny on November 07, 2009, 12:06:27 PM

Title: How can you prevent a test tube from exploding?
Post by: Xuanny on November 07, 2009, 12:06:27 PM

I'm not sure exactly what the experiment is (I don't think it's all that relevant, but I might be wrong), but apparently, a reaction happens in a test tube that heats it up so quickly, it shatters. Is there a way around this? I don't think heating it beforehand helped. I read somewhere that sterilizing the tube under pressure would prevent shattering, but would that work if the tube breaks because of heat, rather than pressure?

Title: Re: How can you prevent a test tube from exploding?
Post by: csrscience.com on November 07, 2009, 03:01:01 PM

It cracks from a difference in temperature changes causing internal forces since part of it expands at a different rate, or something to that effect.
You must be doing thermite in it or something, because with a test tube of decent quality you can put it in a propane torch flame and it doesn't shatter.

Use knew ones that haven't been treated with any significant amount of heat - nearly melting glass can seriously ruin its properties.