08/28/2013

Basic Chemistry Lab Equipment

Beaker

 Beakers are used for routine measuring and mixing in the lab. They are used to measure volumes to within 10% accuracy.  Most beakers are made from borosilicate glass, though other materials may be used.  The flat bottom and spout allow this piece of glassware to be stable on the lab bench or hot plate, plus it's easy to pour a liquid without making a mess.  Beakers are also easy to clean.

Watch Glass

 Watch glasses are concave dishes that have a variety of uses.  They can serve as lids for flasks and beakers.  Watch glasses are nice for holding small samples for observation under a low-power microscope.  Watch glasses are used for evaporating liquid off of samples, such as growing seed crystals.

1 08/28/2013

Wire Gauze

 Used to support a container on a Bunsen burner and prevents the direct contact between the glass and the flame.  It also helps to spread the flame or heat over the container during heating process.

Ring Stand

 A metal stand consisting of a long upright rod attached to a heavy rectangular base that is used with rings and clamps for supporting laboratory apparatus

Iron Ring

 An iron ring, sometimes called an iron support ring, is used in chemistry labs to stabilize flasks mounted to a ring stand.  Some iron rings include a clamp, while others require a utility clamp to attach to a ring stand.

2 08/28/2013

Utility Clamps

 Instruments that are used to hold or support items such as glassware or chemistry equipment.  There are different types of utility clamps such as extension and adjustable-angle clamps.

Funnel

 A conical piece of glassware that terminates in a narrow tube.  It is used to transfer substances into containers that have narrow mouths.  Funnels may be made of any material.

Test Tube

 Test tubes are round- bottom cylinders, usually made of borosilicate glass so that they can withstand temperature changes and resist reaction with chemicals.  Sometimes test tubes are called culture tubes. A culture tube is a test tube without a lip.

3 08/28/2013

Test Tube Rack

 They are used to hold test tubes, and sometimes pipettes, that contain chemicals that are awaiting further action.  Some have pegs to hold test tubes upside down for drying after being cleaned.

Test Tube Clamp

 It is a clamp that holds a test tube -- for instance to hold a test tube while heating it without getting burned.  It is made from a thick piece of metal wire that is shaped into a spring- loaded clamp to securely hold a test tube.

Eye Dropper

 Used in chemistry, biology, and medicine to transfer a measured volume of liquid.  Measurement accuracy varies greatly depending on the style.

4 08/28/2013

Pipette (Pipet)

 Pipets or pipettes are droppers calibrated to deliver a specific volume.  Some pipets are marked like graduated cylinders.  Other pipets are filled to a line to reliably deliver one volume again and again.  Pipettes may be made of glass or plastic.

To n g s

 Large pincers for grasping and lifting glassware that may be hot or cold.  They may also be called Beaker Tongs or Crucible Tongs.

Thermometers

 Used to measure the temperature, or temperature changes of solids, liquids, and gases.  They can be analog (with a liquid inside) or digital.  Calibrated to a high degree of accuracy.

5 08/28/2013

Graduated Cylinder

 Used to measure volumes accurately.  Graduated cylinders usually are made from borosilicate glass, though there are plastic cylinders, too.  Common sizes are 10, 25, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000 ml.  Choose a cylinder such that the volume to be measured will be in the upper half of the container. This minimizes measurement error.

Bunsen Burner

 Named after Robert Bunsen,  Produces a single open gas flame, which is used for heating, sterilization, and combustion.

Water Bottle (Wash Bottle)

 A squeeze bottle with a nozzle, used to rinse various pieces of laboratory equipment.  Wash bottles are sealed with a screw-top lid. When hand pressure is applied to the bottle, the liquid inside becomes pressurized and is forced out of the nozzle into a narrow stream of liquid.  Most bottles contain an internal dip tube allowing upright use.  Wash bottles may be filled with a range of common laboratory solvents and reagents, according to the work carried out in that lab. These include: deionized water, detergent solutions and rinse solvents.

6 08/28/2013

Erlenmeyer Flask

 Erlenmeyer flasks are used to measure, mix, and store liquids.  The shape makes this flask very stable.  Most erlenmeyer flasks are made of borosilicate glass so that they can be heated over a flame or autoclaved.  They can be found in 50, 125, 250, 500, 1000 ml.  You can seal them with a cork or stopper or place plastic or paraffin film or a watch glass on top of them.

Evaporating Dish

 A piece of laboratory glassware used for the evaporation of solids and supernatant fluids, and sometimes to their melting point.  Evaporating dishes are used to evaporate excess solvents, most commonly water - to produce a concentrated solution or a solid precipitate of the dissolved substance.

Hot Plate

 Used as a substitute for a bunsen burner to heat fluids in glassware without flame.  Hot plates can be temperature regulated and some can automatically stir solutions.

7 08/28/2013

Safety Glasses and Goggles

 Protective eyewear to prevent liquids and solids from getting into the eyes.  They are made of polycarbonate plastics and the lenses are shatterproof.

Review

 Lab equipment is safe when used correctly.  Always wear safety glasses and aprons when doing any experiment.  Glasses and clothing can be replaced, your eyes and skin cannot.

8