Familiarization of Common Chemistry Apparatus

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering common chemistry apparatus, their functions, classifications, and proper usage based on lecture notes.

Chemistry Laboratory

A structured and controlled environment where chemical investigations are conducted, designed for research, education, and skill development.

Safety

One of the primary reasons for apparatus familiarization, aimed at preventing accidents like breakage, chemical burns, or inhalation of harmful vapors.

Accuracy

Using the correct apparatus to ensure data reliability, such as using a volumetric flask instead of a beaker for precise measurement.

Measuring Tools

Apparatus used for determining volume or mass, such as graduated cylinders or analytical balances.

Heating Tools

Apparatus that provide or sustain heat, including alcohol lamps and hotplates.

Transferring Tools

Apparatus used to move chemicals from one container to another, such as droppers and pipettes.

Observing Tools

Apparatus that hold or display reactions, like watch glasses and test tubes.

Supporting Apparatus

Apparatus that stabilize other tools, such as iron stands and clamps.

Specialized Use Apparatus

Tools designed for specific chemical processes, such as a condenser for distillation or a Buchner funnel for filtration.

Triple Beam Balance

An apparatus used to measure mass consisting of three beams with sliding weights corresponding to gradations of $100\,g$, $10\,g$, and $0.1\,g$.

Top Loading Balance

Also known as a "precision balance," it is less sensitive to environmental factors and typically measures to two or three decimal places like $0.001\,g$ or $0.01\,g$.

Analytical Balance

A high-precision laboratory balance capable of measuring mass to four or five decimal places, such as $0.0001\,g$ or $0.00001\,g$, usually for quantities up to $200$ to $300\,grams$.

TARE

The process or button used to reset a laboratory balance scale to zero after placing a container on the weighing pan.

Beaker

Glassware used for the general purposes of stirring, mixing, and heating liquids.

Erlenmeyer Flask

Glassware with a narrow neck used to heat, mix, and store liquids; the neck shape facilitates mixing without spilling.

Büchner Flask

Also known as a vacuum, suction, or filter flask, it is used in vacuum-assisted filtration, removing dissolved gases, and drying substances faster.

Volumetric Flask

Glassware calibrated to measure one specific volume of liquid, featuring a small line on the neck to indicate the exact fill level at the bottom of the meniscus.

Graduated Cylinder

A tool used to measure accurate volumes of liquids, featuring a spout for easy transferring.

Burette

An apparatus used to accurately deliver variable volumes of liquid in titration, featuring a stopcock to control the liquid flow.

To Deliver (TD)

A pipette calibration type that is designed to deliver the exact specified amount of liquid.

To Contain (TC)

A pipette calibration type that holds a particular volume but does not dispense the exact measured amount.

Blowout Pipette

A pipette with an etched ring at the top, indicating that the last drop must be blown out.

Self-draining Pipette

A pipette without an etched ring that is allowed to drain by gravity.

Ostwald Folin Pipette

A transfer pipette used for viscous fluids, characterized by having an etched ring.

Serological Pipette

A graduated/measuring pipette with graduations extending all the way to the tip; it may be blowout or self-draining.

Mohr Pipette

A self-draining graduated pipette with calibration between two marks, but without graduations to the tip.

Meniscus

The curve in the surface of a liquid; transparent fluids are read at the lower curve, while colored or non-transparent fluids are read at the upper curve.

Parallax Error

An error in measurement caused by not reading the meniscus at eye level.

Alcohol Lamp

A tool used to produce an open flame for general heating purposes.

Bunsen Burner

A type of gas burner that produces a single open gas flame used for heating, sterilization, and combustion.

Tirrill Burner

A gas burner similar to a Bunsen burner but equipped with a disc valve to regulate gas flow.

Fisher Meker Burner

A large burner with a grid on top of the chimney that divides the flame into smaller flames to increase air and gas mixing.

Teclu Burner

A burner with a longer barrel that produces heat more efficiently and increases combustion power.

Luminous Flame

A bright yellow flame that generates large amounts of light, produces soot ($C$) due to incomplete combustion, and reaches roughly $300\,^\circ C$.

Non-luminous Flame

A blue flame that generates minute amounts of light, does not produce soot, and reaches roughly $700\,^\circ C$.

Hotplate

A flameless heating apparatus used for general heating with flat-bottomed glassware; some include a rotating magnet for magnetic stirring.

Spatula

A tool used for scraping or transferring small amounts of solids between containers.

Dropper

A small glass tube with a rubber bulb used to draw and transfer small volumes of liquids via suction.

Thistle Tube

A glass apparatus used for the addition of reagents into a flask, commonly used in the collection of hydrogen gas.

Test Tube

A small glass tube used for handling or heating small amounts of substances.

Watch Glass

A multipurpose tool used as a surface for evaporating liquid, holding solids, or as a cover for beakers.

Spot Plate

An apparatus used to observe multiple chemical reactions simultaneously.

Evaporating Dish

A vessel specifically used to heat and consequently evaporate liquids.

Florence Flask

Glassware with a long neck, spherical body, and flat bottom used to contain, boil, and swirl liquids, especially during distillation.

Clay Triangle

A support structure placed on an iron ring to hold a funnel, crucible, or evaporating dish.

Iron Stand

A support used to provide stability for other equipment and raise it above the work surface.

Tripod

A three-legged platform used to support beakers and flasks, usually in conjunction with wire gauze and a flame source.

Distilling Flask

An apparatus used to separate or purify liquid mixtures based on their different boiling points.

Condenser

A tool used to cool and condense hot vapors from a heated solution back into liquid.

Stirring Rod

A glass rod used for mixing and to negate adhesion during decanting, preventing liquid from running down the side of the glassware.

Deflagrating Spoon

A metal spoon used to hold and heat small quantities of combustible substances until they burn away.

Crucible

A ceramic or metal container used to melt substances or subject them to very high temperatures.

Mortar and Pestle

A pair of tools used to crush and mix solid chemical reagents into a fine powder or paste.

Buchner Funnel

A cylindrical filtering funnel used primarily during pressure-assisted (vacuum) filtration.

Separatory Funnel

An apparatus used to separate immiscible liquids based on their density, allowing the denser liquid to be drained via a stopcock.

Amber Bottle

A borosilicate glass container used to store light-sensitive chemicals and strong acids or bases to prevent degradation.

Conductivity Apparatus

A device used to determine if a solution conducts electricity; the brightness of the light bulb indicates the degree of conductivity.

Water Trough

Also called a "Pneumatic Trough," it is an open container used to collect and isolate gas through water displacement.