Tour of the Lab and Lab Equipment \

Lab Equipment Your lab equipment should: Be clean before using it. Be checked (if glassware) for cracks, broken edges, and “stars” – discard if damaged. Be washed, dried, and carefully stored in the proper place when done using it.

Keep our lab area neat and clean!

Broken Glass Box and Trash Can Broken Glass box to dispose of any broken glass, instead of the trash can. Trash Can to dispose of paper waste only!

Beakers hold solids or liquids that will not release gases when reacted, or are unlikely to splatter if stirred or heated. Very poor to measure volume with (+/-5%) accuracy Note the size capacity (250 mL in this case) Beaker There are six sizes of beakers for you to use in your lab desk.

Erlenmeyer Flask Erlenmeyer flasks hold solids or liquids that may release gases during a reaction or that are likely to splatter if stirred or heated. Note the size

Florence Flask Rarely used in first year chemistry, it is used for the mixing of chemicals. Narrow neck prevents splash exposure.

Graduated Cylinder A graduated cylinder is used to measure volumes of liquids – probably your best everyday measuring tool – there are three sizes in your desk. Note the rubber “bumpers”, and also the size. Others that are smaller may not have “bumpers”, but have reinforced glass.

Graduated Cylinder (Meniscus) The meniscus is the curved line that the liquid makes inside of the graduated cylinder as a result of the adhesion and cohesion properties of the liquid Meniscus For this example, the volume of the liquid would be 62 mL since the bottom of the meniscus falls on the 62 mL mark.

Graduated Cylinder (Example) What is the volume of the liquid in the graduated cylinder? Meniscus Since each graduated marking is equivalent to 1 mL, the volume of the liquid in the graduated cylinder is 48 mL

Test Tubes – we commonly use 2 sizes: 18 x 150 mm Ignition Tube (25 x 200 mm) 13 x 100 mm Test tubes are used to mix chemicals, and also to heat chemicals.

Test Tube Holder A test tube holder is useful for holding a test tube which is too hot to handle. Knowing where to hold this piece of equipment is important.

Test tube brushes are used to clean test tubes and graduated cylinders. Small test tube brush Forcing a large brush into a small test tube will often break the tube. Don’t worry about drying the inside of a test tube. Large test tube brush

Test Tube Racks Test tube racks are for holding and organizing test tubes on the laboratory counter, and are found in the wall cabinets.

The stirring rod is used to: a) manually stir solutions; b) assist in pouring liquids; and c) to transfer a single drop of a solution. Rubber policeman tip is used to remove precipitates. Stirring Rod Stir with this end.

Dropper Pipet A dropper pipet is used to transfer a small volume of liquid, usually one drop at a time. On top of each dropper is a “rubber bulb” – never put your mouth on the dropper to provide suction

Forceps Forceps are used to hold or pick up small objects.

Funnel A funnel is used to aid in the transfer of liquids from one vessel to another, and will hold filter paper while filtering.

Weighing Boat Weighing boats are used to weigh solids that will be transferred to another vessel. We will also use squares of paper for this purpose – throw them away after using. Never put chemicals directly on the balance scale – it leaves residue and can harm the balance

Spatula Spatulas are used to dispense solid chemicals from their containers. Chemicals should never be transferred with your bare hands.

Beaker tongs are used to move beakers containing hot liquids. Note the rubber coating to improve grip on the glass beaker - do not hold this in a burner flame. Beaker Tongs

Burner Burners are used for the heating of nonvolatile liquids and solids. Hot plates will be used to gently heat any flammable chemicals.

Ringstands and their Components Ringstands are a safe and convenient way to perform reactions that require heating using a lab burner. Can also be used as an insulating pad to place hot objects while they cool.

Ringstands and their Components Ring Clamp Ring clamps connect to a ringstand, and provide a stable, elevated platform for a beaker to be heated. Will also hold a clay triangle and funnel during filtering.

Ringstands and their Components Test tube Clamps Test tube clamps are used to secure test tubes, distillation columns, and burets to the ringstand.

Ringstands and their Components Wire Gauze Wire gauze sits on the iron ring to provide a place to stand a beaker. On older wire gauze, the white material was asbestos – currently it is a ceramic.