Laboratory Equipment Names and Uses Saturday, August 29, 2015Saturday, August 29, 2015Saturday, August 29, 2015Saturday, August 29, 2015

Why Learn This? Lab equipment should only be used for its intended purpose. In order to do labs safely, you need to know equipment names to get set up. So you can impress others with your vast chemistry knowledge.

Tongs Used to handle hot items. Are specialized to reduce the chance of dropping something. Types include: beaker, test tube, and crucible.

Hot Hand/Hot Mitts Used to handle hot objects. Remember hot and cold glass an metal looks the same - treat everything as if it is HOT!!

Beakers Beakers come in many sizes. Can be used for heating if they are PYREX. Measurements on beakers are only approximate.

Erlenmeyer Flask Used to hold liquids. Triangular shape with a small opening helps prevent splatters when heating. Only use PYREX flasks for heating.

Florence Flask This kind of flask usually just holds liquids The small opening makes it easy to pour. Volumetric flasks have an etched line so you can measure accurately.

Test Tubes Once again there are many different sizes. Used to contain or react small amounts of chemicals. Cleaned with a test tube brush.

Graduated Cylinders Come in various sizes. Used to accurately measure liquids. Make sure the collar is pushed up towards the top so it won’t break if it gets knocked over.

Heating Things Up You use several pieces of equipment to safely heat things. These include: bunsen burners, iron rings, wire gauze, clay or wire triangles, and clamps.

Meniscus

Heating Things Up

More Heating

Hot Plates Hot plates are less dangerous than an open flame. Some have automatic stirrers.

Strikers and Matches A striker is a device used to light a burner. We will use strikers, NOT matches to light fires.

Crucibles and Evaporating Dishes Used to dry things out either over a flame, on a hot plate, or in an oven. Crucibles have lids to prevent splatter.

Triple Beam Balance Measures the Mass of an object

Electronic Balance This balances is electronic. Accuracy is very important when you measure out chemicals. The tare button sets the balance to zero.

Spatulas and Spoons Used to transfer chemicals from the bulk container to the balance for measuring. Always use a separate spatula for each chemical.

Thermometers Use alcohol thermometers if possible. Check to make sure the column doesn’t have gaps NEVER rest a thermometer in heating glassware.

Burets Burets are very accurate devices used to measure liquids. They have a device called a stopcock at the bottom.

Miscellaneous Equipment Other small pieces you might use during a lab include: forceps, microplates, test tube racks, droppers and stoppers.

Now you know your chemistry lab equipment.