Lab Equipment
Visuals, Spellings, and Uses
The Right tool for the job!
Beakers
• Beakers are used
for holding various
chemicals.
• Not for measuring
precisely.
• Sizes vary.
Graduated Cylinder
• Used to precisely
measure the volume
of liquids or run
experiments.
• Read from the
meniscus at eye level.
• Plastic ring always on
top if applicable.
• Sizes vary.
Erlenmeyer Flask
• Used to
approximately
measure the
volume various
liquids.
• Useful for mixing
by swirling
• Sizes vary.
Florence Flask
• Used to boil
liquids.
• Also used to collect
gases, if
applicable.
• Sizes vary.
Volumetric Flask
• Used to prepare
precise standard
solutions.
• They are only good
for 1 specific
volume.
• Comes in many
sizes
Reagent Bottle
• Used to store,
transport, or view
reagents such as
acids or bases.
Rubber Stoppers
• Used to close flasks
and test tubes.
• The holes allow the
insertion of glass
tubing, probes, or
thermometers as
needed by the
experiment.
Test Tubes and Rack
• Used to hold
chemicals/tubes while
experimenting.
• Not for measuring
precisely.
• Waft!
• Aim away from faces.
• Sizes vary.
• Label tubes.
Distillation Flask
• Used to separate
liquids based on
boiling point.
Buret and Buret Clamp
• Used for precisely
measuring
dispensed liquids
• Holds buret to ring
stand.
Double buret clamp
Buret
Single buret clamp
Ring Stand and Ring Clamps
• Base/Pole of
set-up for
experimenting.
• Holds glassware in
place for heating or
evaporating.
Test Tube Brushes
• Cleaning.
• You must clean
tubes before and
after you use.
Test Tube Holder
• Used for carrying
or holding hot test
tubes.
Thermometer
• Measuring
temperature.
• Use metric!!
Hot Plate
• Used to heat
substances.
Bunsen Burner
• Used to heat
substances quickly
or if > 400oC is
needed.
• Do not use with
flammable
substances.
Rubber Tubing
• Used for a variety
of things.
• Example:
– Connecting Bunsen
burner to gas valve
stem.
– Connecting glass
tubing together.
Wire Mesh or Gauze
• Used to absorb
and spread the
heat of flame.
• Keeps glassware
from cracking and
breaking.
• Part of ring stand
set-up.
Clay Triangle
• Used to hold a
crucible in place on
a ring stand.
• Also helps absorb
and spread heat of
flame.
• Part of ring stand
set-up.
Crucible and Cover
• Used for heating
substances.
• Can withstand high
direct heat.
Crucible Tongs
• Used to carry
crucible.
Beaker Tongs
• Used to carry
beakers.
Mortar and Pestle
• Used to grind
substances into
powder or slurry.
Scoopula
• Used to scoop
chemical powders.
• Not a measuring
instrument.
• Ours do not have
handles.
Stirring Rods
• Used to stir
substances.
• Clean in between
uses.
Striker
• Used to ignite gas
from a Bunsen
burner.
• Do not waste flint.
Watch Glass
• Used to show
chemical reactions.
Evaporating Dish
• Used to
evaporate
excess liquids.
Centrifuge
• Used to separate
suspensions
(solids from
liquids).
Meter Stick
• Used to precisely
measure length.
• 1m = 10dm
• 1m = 100cm
• 1m = 1000mm
Funnel
• Used to safely
transfer
substances from
one container to
another.
Dropper and Bottle
• Used to measure
out small amounts
of liquids for
experiments.
Wash Bottle
• Usually contains
deionized water.
• Handy for rinsing
glassware and for
dispensing small
amounts of dH2O
for chemical
reactions.
Goggles and Apron
• Used to protect
your eyes and
clothing from
damage.
• These are a must
in lab!!
Inoculating or Flame Loop
• Used to collect
samples from
colonies (ex. Bacteria)
• Also used to test
the spectra of
chemicals.
Digital Balance
• Used to accurately
measure mass.
• Only up to 200g in
our labs.
Triple Beam Balance
• Measures the
mass of an object.
• Make certain the
balance is
calibrated correctly
before use.
Double Pan Balance
• Used to compare
the masses of two
substances.
Centigram Balance
• Used to precisely
measure the mass
of a substance.
• More precise than
the triple beam
balance.
Pipet, Pump, and Bulb
• Used to precisely
measure the
volume of liquids in
small amounts.
Berol Pipet
• Disposable pipets
used to transfer
small amounts of
chemicals.
• Graduated pipets
can precisely
measure small
amounts of
chemicals.
Capillary Tubes
• Used to collect
liquid through the
process of capillary
action.