[ CHEM1011 ] 0 .2 - Lab Skills and Techniques

• Provide you with an overview of the essential laboratory skills and techniques necessary for conducting experiments in chemistry.

• Perform accurate measurement of masses and volumes

• Get familiar with the common lab equipment such as balances, pipettes, burettes, and flasks.

What are the objectives of the lab?

Graduated Cylinder

This is used to measure the volume of liquid in milliliters (ml).

Beaker

This is commonly used to estimate and pour liquid quantities in milliliters (ml). It is not as precise as a graduated cylinder, but it is suitable for approximate measurements.

Volumetric Flask

This is specifically designed to measure and hold a precise volume of liquid. It has a narrow neck and a flat bottom, with a single calibration mark indicating the exact volume it can hold when filled to that mark.

Burette

This is used in titrations to deliver precise volumes of a reagent. The liquid is dispensed drop by drop, and the volume is measured by reading the scale on this.

Pipette

A type of laboratory tool commonly used in chemistry and biology to transport a measured volume of liquid, often as a media dispenser.

Top Loading Balance

It measures up to 2 decimal places

Precision: ±0.01 g

Analytical Balance

It measures up to 4 decimal places

Precision: ±0.0001 g

Top Loading Balance

Analytical Balance

Beakers

These are useful as a reaction container or to hold liquid or solid samples. They are also used to catch liquids from titrations and filtrates from filtering operations

Bunsen Burners

These are sources of heat.

Burets

These are for addition of a precise volume of liquid. The volume of liquid added can be determined to the nearest 0.01 mL with practice.

Clay Triangles

These are placed on a ring attached to a ring stand as a support for a funnel, crucible, or evaporating dish

Droppers

These are for addition of liquids drop by drop

Erlenmeyer Flasks

These are useful to contain reactions or to hold liquid samples. They are also useful to catch filtrates

Glass Funnels

These are for funneling liquids from one container to another or for filtering when equipped with filter paper.

Graduated Cylinders

These are for measurement of an amount of liquid. The volume of liquid can be estimated to the nearest 0.1 mL with practice

Hot Plates

These can also be used as sources of heat when an open flame is not desirable

Droper

These are used to dispense small quantities of liquids

Ring Stand with Rings

These are for holding pieces of glassware in place

Test Tubes

These are for holding small samples

Test Tube Holders

These are for holding test tubes when tubes should not be touched

Tongs

These are similar in function to forceps but are useful for larger items

Volumetric Flasks

These are used to measure precise volumes or to make precise dilutions.

Wash Bottles

These are used for dispensing small quantities of distilled water.

Watch Glasses

These are for holding small samples or for covering beakers or evaporating dishes

Wire Gauze

These on a ring supports beakers to be heated by Bunsen burners

Balances

These are used to determine the mass of a reagent or object.

Fume Hoods

These are used to ventilate noxious or harmful gases.