When heating liquids why should you never point the open end of the test tube toward another person?

Answer 1

Because if the experiment being conducted in the test tube is explosive or very reactive then it can spit out stuff and this can be dangerous to your eyes or skin. so by pointing the test tube away then you won't harm anyone if anything spits out

Answer 2

It is dangerous to point a test tube when it is being heated at anyone because you have the ability to injure yourself or others. We have to assume you mean a test tube containing something. There is no hazard with an empty test tube. If the tube being heated does contain something, then the heating process could cause a change of state of that material in an explosive manner, resulting in some or all of the material being ejected [shot out] of the tube hitting, and possible seriously injuring anyone at whom the tube was pointed.

Answer 3

This is to protect you and your classmates from the solution in case it becomes superheated, at which point it can splash out of the tube violently, and can end up burning your face, and your eyes if they are not protected.

Answer 4

Test tubes under high heat should not be pointed toward anyone because, in the case of heating oxidizers such as KNO3 (Potassium Nitrate) or KClO4 (Potassium Perchlorate), if any organic matter (Material containing carbon) comes into contact with the oxidizer, a violent exothermic reaction would occur in which smoke, intense flame, and possibly flaming materials are spewed out. Anyone in front of the test tube could be severely burned or blinded if they were looking into it without eye protection (ANSI approved eye protection should always be worn in a laboratory.)

Answer 5

For many reasons, it is bad to have the opening of a test tube be pointed at another person during heating. For example, whatever that is inside the tube may burst out due to the heating or the fumes resulting from the heating may be dangerous.

Answer 6

Because heating a Pyrex tube with a Bunsen burner for too long might make it explode, and you don't want to have any burning or molten glass on you, or maybe even the more dangerous content (like a powerfull acid).

Answer 7

Test tubes in use should not be pointed at anyone because reactions taking place in the test tube could cause splashes of dangerous chemicals.

Answer 8

Because those liquids could be expelled out of the test tube, leaving a heated stream of an as-of-yet identified substance heading straight for that person.

Answer 9

OK. I won't