Laboratory Equipment and Uses

Vocabulary flashcards detailing common laboratory tools, equipment, materials, and their specific descriptions and uses based on laboratory reference materials.

Beaker

Glass container, most are pyrex; common sizes are $100\,\text{ml}$, $25\,\text{ml}$, and $400\,\text{ml}$; it can be used as a container, shows approximate volume, and may be heated.

Bunsen Burner

A metal heating device connected to a gas outlet with rubber tubing; used to heat chemicals in beakers or test tubes; has adjustable air-hole allowing some control of temperature.

Burette

It is marked with a milliliter scale and fitted with a stopcock; can be used to withdraw and measure accurate volumes of solutions in titrations.

Beaker Tongs

Metal with rubber ends; used to handle hot beakers.

Crucible & Cover

Made of porcelain; used to heat small amounts of solid substances that are being heated strongly at high temperatures.

Crucible Tongs

Metal utility tongs used for hot crucibles; spring-like jaws with a jaw opening.

Dropper

Glass tip with a rubber bulb; used to transfer small amounts of liquids.

Electronic Balance

Used for quick, accurate massing.

Erlenmeyer Flask

Container; common sizes are $125\,\text{ml}$, $250\,\text{ml}$, and $500\,\text{ml}$; may be heated; it has a thin neck and a wide base; used to hold liquids when carrying out reactions and preparing solutions.

Evaporating Dish

Porcelain dish; used to hold a solution whose solvent is being separated from the solvent by evaporation (often using heat).

Forceps

Metal or plastic, straight-tipped instrument used to isolate and remove small particles.

Funnel

Made of glass or plastic; used to hold a filter paper and can be used in pouring (to avoid spills).

Goggles

Used to protect eyes.

Graduated Cylinder

Marked with milliliter ($\text{ml}$) scale and is used to measure volume.

Heat Resistant Gloves

Used to handle hot glassware or other hot lab equipment.

Mortar & Pestle

Heavy porcelain dish with grinder; used to grind chemicals to a powder.

Pipestem Triangle (Clay Triangle)

Triangular wire frame with clay material coverings; used to support a crucible.

Pipette

Used to transfer small amounts of liquid.

Plastic Wash Bottle

Squeezable plastic bottle; used to dispense distilled water.

Ring Clamp (Iron Ring)

Iron ring with screw fastener; comes in several sizes; used to fasten to the ring stand as a support for an apparatus.

Ring Stand (Support Stand)

Metal rod that is upright and sits on a heavy base; used as a support and has many uses.

Rubber Stopper

Used to cap the openings of glassware such as test tubes or Erlenmeyer flasks.

Scoopula

Made of metal; used to transfer solid chemicals.

Spatula

Made of metal; has a flat rounded end and a rectangular end; used to transfer solid chemicals.

Spot Plates

Plastic or ceramic reaction surfaces with slight "dips" for containing small amounts of chemicals.

Stirring Rod

Made of glass; used to stir combinations of materials.

Striker

Made of metal and has a flint; used to ignite the Bunsen burner.

Test Tube

Glassware that comes in many sizes; it has many uses and can be heated.

Test Tube Brush

Brush with wire handle; used to scrub thin glassware.

Test Tube Clamp

Metal clamp with a screw fastener, a swivel and lock nut, an adjusting screw, and a curved clamp; used to hold an apparatus (test tube or burette) to the ring stand.

Test Tube Holder

Made of metal; has a clamp with a spring handle; used to hold a test tube.

Test Tube Rack

May be made of wood, metal, or plastic; used to hold test tubes in an upright position.

Thermometer

Made of glass and filled with a red or blue liquid (usually alcohol); used to determine temperature.

Volumetric Flask

Used when mixing accurate concentrations of solutions. Each flask has a volume marking which is very exact and can be stoppered.

Watch Glass

Curved glass; may be used as a beaker cover or for evaporating very small amounts of liquid.

Wire Gauze

Wire screen with ceramic fibered center; used to spread the heat of a flame.