Don’t be a Fool, Use the Right Tool – Lab Equipment

Beaker A glass container that has a wide mouth and holds solids and liquids Define beaker and show an actual example. Explain it is only used for approximate amounts, not accurate measurements.

Graduated Cylinder A tall, cylindrical container used for measuring the volume of liquids Read from the bottom of the meniscus Define graduated cylinder and show an actual example. Explain it can be used for exact measurements. Describe the meniscus.

Test Tube A cylindrical container that holds a small quantity of a solid or liquid Held in a test tube rack Define test tube and show an actual example. Show an example of a test tube rack.

Erlenmeyer Flask A cone-shaped container with a narrow neck and a broad, flat bottom Used to swirl liquid without spilling Define Erlenmeyer flask and show an actual example.

Buret A long, thin cylinder that is marked to 0.1 of a milliliter Define and show an actual example. Explain it is only used to transfer exact amounts of liquids in an experiment.

Petri Dish A shallow dish with a loose-fitting cover Used to grow bacteria Define petri dish and show an actual example. Explain that it contains agar in the bottom to provide nutrients for the bacteria to grow. Define agar: A gelatinous material derived from certain marine algae used as a base for bacterial culture media and as a stabilizer and thickener in many food products.

Burner A piece of equipment that allows one to adjust the size of a flame by controlling the gas supply Define burner and show an actual example. Explain that a Bunsen burner runs on propane gas or butane gas or a mixture.

Thermometer An instrument consisting of a glass bulb attached to a fine tube of glass with a numbered scale and containing a liquid (mercury or colored alcohol) that is sealed and rises and falls with changes in temperature Define thermometer and show an actual example. Explain that a lab thermometer must be able to read temperatures at a greater range than a medical thermometer.

Balance/Scale A scientific instrument that determines the mass/weight of materials May be electronic or triple-beam Define balance and show an actual example. Explain that mass differs from weight (which is affected by gravity).

Microscope A scientific instrument used to see tiny organisms Define microscope and show an actual example.

Lab Equipment Practice Lab Equipment BINGO Use your equipment vocabulary knowledge to cover the spaces on your BINGO board Activity: Lab using several different pieces of science equipment Perform lab activities with equipment using the correct procedures and measurement techniques Be sure to follow safety procedures -Give each student a copy of the “Lab Equipment BINGO” handout.

Day 1 – Discussion/Journal Using the proper equipment is important because…

Day 1 – 90 Second Speech What is the difference in the equipment used for measuring volume?

Day 2 – Discussion/Journal Accurate measurements are important because…

Day 2 – 90 Second Speech What are the proper procedures for checking the aroma of a chemical mixture?

Questions?

References/Resources Mehas, Kay Yockey & Rodgers, Sharon Lesley. (2002). Food Science: The Biochemistry of Food and Nutrition. Fourth ed. New York, NY: Glencoe McGraw-Hill, pp. 23-33. Print. Microsoft Office Clip Art images - Used with permission from Microsoft.