Laboratory Equipment
Pictures and Descriptions of
Chemistry Equipment Used in the
Laboratory
Beaker
• Glass or plastic
• Common sizes are 50
mL, 100 mL, 250 mL,
400 mL, 600 mL
• Glass beakers can be
heated, plastic cannot
• Beakers are only used
for measuring
approximate volumes
Beaker Tongs
• Metal with plastic
covering
• Used to pick up hot
beakers
• Should not be held
over a flame or the
plastic will melt
Bunsen Burner
• Constructed of metal
• Connected to a gas
supply with rubber
tubing
• Used to heat chemicals
in beakers, test tubes,
and crucibles
Clay Triangle
• Wire frame with
porcelain supports
• It can be used to
support a crucible if it
is placed on a iron ring
Crucible & Cover
• Porcelain
• Used to heat small
amounts of solid
substances at high
temperatures
Crucible Tongs
• Iron or Nickel
• Used to pick up and
hold small items (such
as crucibles and their
lids)
Dropper Pipet
• Glass tip with rubber
bulb
• Used to transfer small
volumes of liquid
Electronic Balance
• Used for measuring
the mass of chemicals
and objects less than
400 grams
• Chemicals and hot
glassware should
never be placed
directly on the balance
Erlenmeyer Flask
• Glass
• Common sizes are 50
mL, 125 mL and 250
mL
• May be heated
• Can be used as a
reaction vessel such as
in a titration
Evaporating Dish
• Porcelain
• Used to contain small
volumes of liquid
being evaporated
Flint Striker
• Metal with magnesium
flint
• Used to light a Bunsen
burner
Forceps
• Metal
• Used to hold or pick
up small objects
Four Beam Balance
• Used for measuring
the mass of chemicals
and small objects
• Usually a four beam
balance can more
accurately find masses
than a three beam
(platform) balance
Funnel
• Glass or plastic
• Common size holds
12.5 cm diameter filter
paper
• Can be used for
separating mixtures
Graduated Cylinder
• Glass or plastic
• Common sizes are 10 mL,
50 mL, and 100 mL
• Used to measure the
volume of a liquid
• Must not be heated and
reactions should not be
done in the graduated
cylinder
Grease or Wax Pencil
• Wax marking pencil
• Used to write on
glassware
Mortar and Pestle
• Porcelain
• May be used to grind
crystals and lumpy
chemicals to a powder
Nichrome Wire
• Glass or metal rod
with a nichrome wire
attached
• Used for conducting
flame tests
Petri Dish & Cover
• Glass top and bottom
• Used for examining
specimens
Platform Balance
• Sometimes also
referred to as a triple
beam balance
• Used for measuring
the mass of chemicals
and small objects
Policeman
• Plastic
• Used to remove
precipitates from
glassware
Ring Clamp
• Metal
• Can be attached to a
ring stand to support
beakers or other
glassware
Ring Stand
• Metal rod fixed
upright in a heavy
metal base
• Has many uses as a
support
Safety Goggles
• Plastic
• Must be worn at all
times while working
in the laboratory
Scoopula or Microspatula
• Metal
• Used to transfer solid
chemicals
• The scoopula has a
larger capacity
Stirring Rod
• Glass rod
• Used to stir and assist
in pouring liquids
Test Tubes
• Glass
• Common sizes :
small (13 mm x 100 mm)
medium (20 mm x 150 mm)
large (25 mm x 200 mm)
• May be heated
• Should not be used if
chipped or cracked
Test Tube Brush
• Bristles with wire
handle
• Used to scrub small
diameter glassware
(like test tubes)
Test Tube Clamp
• Metal
• Can be attached to a
ring stand to hold
small diameter
glassware
Test Tube Holder
• Spring metal
• Used to hold test tubes
or glass tubing
Test Tube Rack
• Wood or plastic
• Holds test tubes in a
vertical position
Triangular File
• Metal
• Used to scratch glass
tubing prior to
breaking to desired
length
Wash Bottle
• Flexible plastic
• Should only be filled
with distilled water
• Used to rinse
chemicals from
glassware
Watch Glass
• Glass
• Used to cover an
evaporating dish or
beaker
Wire Gauze
• Metal with asbestos
center
• Used to spread the
heat of a Bunsen
burner
Utility Tongs
• Metal
• Used for picking up
hot objects