A Dichotomous Key to Scientific Equipment
Rules
● Always start with #1
● Decided whether the piece of equipment has the properties of A or B (and sometimes C!). Go to the corresponding question number.
● If the statement gives a name, you’ve identified the piece of equipment and you should write down the name. 1. a. Containing some glass ……………………………………………..…………………………… Go to #2 b. Containing no glass …………………………………………...... Go to #8
2. a. Made entirely of glass …………………………………………………………………………… Go to #3 b. Rubber bulb at one end ………………………………………………………… Medicine Dropper
3. a. Hollow (empty space inside)…………………………………………………………………. Go to #4 b. Not hollow, small rectangle ……………………………………………………… Microscope Slide c. Long, slender rod ………………………………………………………………….……… Stirring Rod
4. a. Two pieces ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Go to #5 b. One piece ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Go to #6 5. a. Pieces similar in shape and size …………………………………………………………. Petri Dishes b. Pieces not similar in shape or size ………………………………………………. Reagent Bottle
6. a. Width of mouth (opening) smaller than base …………….…………… Erlenmeyer Flask b. Width of mouth same size as base (no neck) ……………...………….…………… Go to #7
7. a. Bottom rounded, cannot stand by itself ……………………………………………… Test Tube b. Flat bottomed; Markings on side ……………………………………………………………… Beaker
8. a. Contains some metal or metal parts …………………………………………………… Go to #9 b. Contains no metal or metal parts ……………………………………………………… Go to #18
9. a. Made entirely of metal ……………………………………………………………………… Go to #12 b. Contains some metal but not entirely metal …………………………………… Go to #11
c. Contains metal in a mesh or net-like pattern………………………………….. Go to #10
10. a. Contains a circle of ceramic in the center ………………………………………… Wire Gauze b. Made of two or more pieces ……………………………………………………………… Go to #12
Name______Date______Hour______Table____ 11. a. Metal rod with bristles on one end …………………………………………… Test Tube Brush b. Metal with some plastic pieces …………………………………………………………… Go to #16
12. a. Elongated in shape; not a perfect square ………………………………………… Go to #13 b. Long metal pole with attached square, base …………………………………… Ring Stand
13. a. Metal is straight ………………………………………………………………………………… Go to #14 b. Metal is bent into curves …………………………………………………………………… Go to #15
14. a. Pointed with blade for cutting at one end …………………...... Scalpel b. Pointed with arms for picking up small objects …………………………………… Forceps
15. a. Wire bent with loop and two, flat discs (circles) …………….………… Burette Clamp b. Wire bent with loop and square opening at opposite ends …… Test Tube Clamp
16. a. Has an electrical cord attached ………………………………………………………… Go to #17 b. Not electrical; metal clamps with plastic handles ……………………… Beaker Tongs
17. a. Square in shape with dial to control temperature …………………………… Hot Plate b. Square in shape with metal disk on top ……………………………………… Mass Balance
18. a. Made of plastic or wood ……………………………………………………………………… Go to #19 b. Made of ceramic, two pieces …………………………………………………… Mortar & Pestle
19. a. Made of plastic …………………………………………………………………………………… Go to #20 b. Made of wood …………………………………………………………………………………… Go to #22
20. a. Made of one piece of plastic ……………………………………………………………… Go to # 21 b. Made of multiple pieces of plastic ………………………………………………… Safety Glasses
21. a. Cylindrical shape with a base (bottom) for standing ………… Graduated Cylinder b. Rounded bulb attached to a long tube …………………………………………………… Pipette c. Conical shape with a tube attached ………………………………………………………… Funnel
22. a. Long, single piece with markings for measurement ……………………… Meter Stick b. Multiple pieces together to form a stand ………………………………… Test Tube Rack Name______Date______Hour______Table____ Identifying Lab Equipment For each of the following pieces of equipment, record the complete classification statement using the taxonomic key provided.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
1. ______
2. ______
3. ______
4. ______
5. ______
6. ______
7. ______
8. ______
9. ______
10. ______11. 12. 13. 14. 15.
16. 17. 18. 19. 20.
21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
11. ______
12. ______
13. ______
14. ______
15. ______
16. ______
17. ______
18. ______
19. ______
20. ______
21. ______
22. ______
23. ______
24. ______
25. ______