Laboratory Equipment Vocabulary

Flashcards defining various laboratory instruments and tools used in science, based on common classroom identification materials.

balance

an instrument for determining weight

beaker

used to hold liquids

Bunsen burner

used to heat substances

buret

dispensing and transferring known volumes of fluids

clay triangle

used to hold a crucible while the crucible is heated

crucible and cover

used to hold small amounts of chemicals during heating at high temperatures

crucible tongs

to hold hot crucibles

dropper pipet or disposable pipet

for drawing in a liquid and expelling it in drops

Erlenmeyer flask

used to hold liquids, has narrow neck to prevent splashes

evaporating dish

liquids are heated over a flame so that they evaporate, leaving a solid residue

filter paper

special paper used to separate solids from liquids

forceps

used to pick up or hold small items

fume hood

used to prevent a person from exposure to hazardous fumes from chemicals

funnel

for pouring liquid or other substance through a small opening

goggles

protects eyes from chemical splashes

graduated cylinder

accurately measures liquid volumes

hot plate / stir plate

used to heat and stir substances

mortar and pestle

used to grind up materials

pipet bulb

used to pull liquid up into a pipet

ring clamp

used with ring stand to hold a glass container

ring stand

holds funnels, wire gauze above table

rubber stopper

used to cover ends of test tubes and flasks

spatula

small scoop used to transfer powder and crystal chemicals

spot plate

a flat plate with multiple "wells" used as small test tubes

stirring rod

used for stirring

striker

used to light bunsen burner

test tube

open tube used to hold liquids

test tube clamp

clamp used to hold hot test-tube

test tube rack

holds 5-6 test-tubes in a row

thermometer

measures temperature (science uses degrees in Celsius)

utility clamp

used to hold laboratory glassware

volumetric flask

for making up solutions to a known volume

volumetric pipet

measures small amounts of liquids accurately

wash bottle

used to rinse various pieces of laboratory glassware

watch glass

to hold solids while being weighed, or as a cover for a beaker

weighing paper

used for weighing and transferring powers and crystals

wire gauze

used to support a container (such as a beaker or flask) during heating