Lab Equipment

Visuals, Spellings, and Uses

The Right tool for the job!

Beakers

• Beakers are used for holding various chemicals.

• Not for measuring precisely.

• Sizes vary.

Graduated Cylinder

• Used to precisely measure the volume of liquids or run experiments.

• Read from the meniscus at eye level.

• Plastic ring always on top if applicable.

• Sizes vary.

Erlenmeyer Flask

• Used to approximately measure the volume various liquids.

• Useful for mixing by swirling

• Sizes vary.

Florence Flask

• Used to boil liquids.

• Also used to collect gases, if applicable.

• Sizes vary.

Volumetric Flask

• Used to prepare precise standard solutions.

• They are only good for 1 specific volume.

• Comes in many sizes

Reagent Bottle

• Used to store, transport, or view reagents such as acids or bases.

Rubber Stoppers

• Used to close flasks and test tubes.

• The holes allow the insertion of glass tubing, probes, or thermometers as needed by the experiment.

Test Tubes and Rack

• Used to hold chemicals/tubes while experimenting.

• Not for measuring precisely.

• Waft!• Aim away from faces.• Sizes vary.• Label tubes.

Distillation Flask

• Used to separate liquids based on boiling point.

Buret and Buret Clamp• Used for precisely

measuring dispensed liquids

• Holds buret to ring stand.

Double buret clampSingle buret clamp

Buret

Ring Stand and Ring Clamps

• Base/Pole of set-up for experimenting.

• Holds glassware in place for heating or evaporating.

Test Tube Brushes

• Cleaning.

• You must clean tubes before and after you use.

Test Tube Holder

• Used for carrying or holding hot test tubes.

Thermometer

• Measuring temperature.

• Use metric!!

Hot Plate

• Used to heat substances.

Bunsen Burner

• Used to heat substances quickly or if > 400oC is needed.

• Do not use with flammable substances.

Rubber Tubing

• Used for a variety of things.

• Example:– Connecting Bunsen

burner to gas valve stem.

– Connecting glass tubing together.

Wire Mesh or Gauze

• Used to absorb and spread the heat of flame.

• Keeps glassware from cracking and breaking.

• Part of ring stand set-up.

Clay Triangle

• Used to hold a crucible in place on a ring stand.

• Also helps absorb and spread heat of flame.

• Part of ring stand set-up.

Crucible and Cover

• Used for heating substances.

• Can withstand high direct heat.

Crucible Tongs

• Used to carry crucible.

Beaker Tongs

• Used to carry beakers.

Mortar and Pestle

• Used to grind substances into powder or slurry.

Scoopula

• Used to scoop chemical powders.

• Not a measuring instrument.

• Ours do not have handles.

Stirring Rods

• Used to stir substances.

• Clean in between uses.

Striker

• Used to ignite gas from a Bunsen burner.

• Do not waste flint.

Watch Glass

• Used to show chemical reactions.

Evaporating Dish

• Used to evaporate excess liquids.

Centrifuge

• Used to separate suspensions (solids from liquids).

Meter Stick

• Used to precisely measure length.

• 1m = 10dm

• 1m = 100cm

• 1m = 1000mm

Funnel

• Used to safely transfer substances from one container to another.

Dropper and Bottle

• Used to measure out small amounts of liquids for experiments.

Wash Bottle

• Usually contains deionized water.

• Handy for rinsing glassware and for dispensing small amounts of dH2O for chemical reactions.

Goggles and Apron

• Used to protect your eyes and clothing from damage.

• These are a must in lab!!

Inoculating or Flame Loop

• Used to collect samples from colonies (ex. Bacteria)

• Also used to test the spectra of chemicals.

Digital Balance

• Used to accurately measure mass.

• Only up to 200g in our labs.

Triple Beam Balance

• Measures the mass of an object.

• Make certain the balance is calibrated correctly before use.

Double Pan Balance

• Used to compare the masses of two substances.

Centigram Balance

• Used to precisely measure the mass of a substance.

• More precise than the triple beam balance.

Pipet, Pump, and Bulb

• Used to precisely measure the volume of liquids in small amounts.

Berol Pipet

• Disposable pipets used to transfer small amounts of chemicals.

• Graduated pipets can precisely measure small amounts of chemicals.

Capillary Tubes

• Used to collect liquid through the process of capillary action.