Laboratory Glassware and
Equipment
Beaker – a piece of glassware in
which the opening diameter
is approximately the same
as the base diameter.
i.
It is used to hold liquids, and
sometimes solids.
ii. Graduations on the sides are
approximate.
iii. These should never be used
for measuring volumes,
unless you are specifically
told you only need an
approximate amount.
Erlenmeyer Flask – a piece of
glassware with the opening
diameter significantly smaller
than the base diameter. The
diameter gradually narrows
from the base up to near the
top.
1. It is used for holding liquids.
2. It is resistant to splashing
when mixing liquids.
3. Graduations on the sides are
approximate.
Volumetric Flask – a piece of glassware
with the opening diameter significantly
smaller than the base diameter. The
bottom is usually rounded, and there is
a line drawn on the next approximately
halfway up.
1. It measures an exact amount of a
liquid, to two decimal places. (for
example, 500.00 mL)
2. It is used for mixing specific
concentrations of solutions.
Graduated Cylinder – a piece of
glassware that is used to determine
the volume of a liquid.
i. The measurements from a
graduated cylinder should be
reported to the correct
number of decimal places,
with the last digit being an
estimate.
ii. The plastic ring which is
around the neck of the
cylinder is a safety device to
keep it from breaking if it tips
over.
Burette – used to measure specific
amounts of liquids (often determining
amounts of acids or bases needed);
releasing small amounts of
acids or bases into other
solutions.
Test tube – holds small amounts of
liquids for mixing or heating
Test tube rack – holding many test
tubes filled with chemicals
(or for drying after washing)
Test tube brush – used to clean
the inside of test tubes or
graduated cylinder
Test tube holder– used for
holding test tubes when tubes
should not be touched
Ring Stand – a heavy metal base
with a pole sticking up, used to
attach objects to during
experiments. The weight attached
to the pole MUST be over the
base to avoid instability.
Metal Ring – a ring with a clamp
to attach it to the ring stand, used
to support objects during an
experiment.
Clay Triangle - a triangle of
wire, with the center pieces
surrounded by tubes. This is used
to support a crucible during an
experiment.
Crucible/Lid – a small porcelain
cup and lid used to heat small
amounts of material directly over
a flame.
Bunsen burner – a flamegenerating device, with selfcontained controls for the amount
of gas and air proceeding to the
reaction.
Wire Gauze – supports beakers
to be heated by Bunsen burners
Watchglass – are for holding
small samples or for covering
beakers or evaporating dishes
Evaporating Dish – used to
evaporate excess solvents to
create a more concentrated
solution
Wash bottle – used to wash
down specific pieces of equipment
with water or keep materials
moist.
Micropipet– used to measure
and dispense very small amounts
of liquids. (ex. 0.5 mL)
Mortar & pestle– used to grind
chemicals to powder
Funnel– used to pour liquids into
containers with small openings;
also used to hold filter paper
Triple-Beam Balance – a mechanical balance used to determine the
mass of an object, by moving sliders on three bars until the mass on
the pan is balanced by the positions of the sliders.
1. When not in use, and the sliders are at the right side of
their tracks, the pointer should be exactly on zero.
2. If it needs adjusted, turn the knob under the pan slowly
until it reads 0.
3. All readings made by this balance must be reported to 2
decimal places.
Analytical Balance – a balance
used to determine the mass of
an object to a high degree of
precision.
1. Readings made by this
balance must be reported to 4
decimal places.
2. Because of its high degree of
precision, the pan is enclosed
in a chamber to eliminate the
effect of air currents in the
room on the reading.
Fume hood - used to ventilate
noxious or harmful gases