Common Laboratory Equipment and Their Uses

BEAKER

Glass container, most are pyrex; common sizes are 100 ml, 25 ml, 400 ml; it can be used as a container, shows approximate volume, and may be heated, for mixing purpose

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, and big

CHEMICAL APRON

Chemical resistant rubberized apron used to protect clothing

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 ml, 250 ml, 500 ml; may be heated; it has a thin neck and a wide base; used to hold liquids when carrying out reactions and preparing solutions, mixing purposes

EVAPORATING DISH

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

FLORENCE FLASK

Used to hold liquids when carrying out reactions (no heat use flat-bottomed; even heating required use round-bottomed)

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 (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, temporary

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

TRIPLE BEAM BALANCE

Used for determining the mass, in grams, of a chemical or object

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

WELL PLATE

Small plate with several wells; used for reacting small amounts of chemicals

WIRE GAUZE

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