EQUIPMENT IN THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
Beaker
Volumetric Flask Erlenmeyer
Flask
Filter Flask
Pipet
Powder
Funnel
Long-stem
Funnel
Büchner
Funnel
Buret
Graduated Cylinders Test Tubes
Utility Clamp
Evaporating
Dish
Watch
Glass
Crucible
& Lid
Glass Rod
with Rubber Policeman
Crucible Tongs
Wash Bottle
Gas Lighter or Striker
Clay
Triangle
Bunsen Burner
Wire Gauze
Scoopula
Test-Tube Holder
Spoonula
Spatula
5
6
EQUIPMENT IN THE CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
GENERAL CARE OF GLASSWARE:
Equipment you get from the side shelf is not guaranteed to be clean. You have to use good
judgment as to whether it needs to be cleaned before use. Do not wash everything
indiscriminately as there are experiments where the equipment cannot be wet. Consult with
your instructor when in doubt.
1. Follow instructions on how to dispose of the contents of your glassware. Instructions are
provided on the blackboard in the lab or in the write-up of the experiment. Many of the
chemicals cannot go down the drain because of toxicity to humans and/or to the
environment. FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS!
2. Remove any labels that are on the glassware. Labels are much harder to remove if left
on the glassware for a prolonged period. In experiments where the glassware is heated
and weighed, any labels that are not removed will burn partially during the process and
affect your data.
3. Most of the chemicals you use in this course is water soluble. After the chemicals have
been disposed of properly as instructed, the general rule in cleaning the glassware is as
follows:
a. First wash it with hot tap water and a SMALL amount of detergent. Scrub the inside
and outside of the glassware with the brushes provided by the sink. The detergent is
provided in a plastic bottle with a pump at the top. DO NOT USE AN EXCESSIVE
AMOUNT OF DETERGENT! You will have a hard time getting rid of the
detergent, which will act as a contaminant next time you use the equipment.
b. Next, rinse your glassware thoroughly with hot tap water to get rid of the detergent.
c. When you are satisfied that the glassware is clean, rinse it 2 or 3 times with small
amounts of deionized water provided at the sink. This will get rid of the salts that
are in the tap water. Do not waste our deionized water by using excessive amounts.
It is more efficient to rinse something several times with small amounts than to rinse
it one time with a large amount.
d. Allow the water inside the glassware to drain out as much as you can, then wipe the
outside with paper towels.
4. Glassware and all other equipment you obtain from the side shelf need to be returned to
the side shelf for use by others in the next class. Please lock only your own equipment
in your drawer. When in doubt, check with your instructor.
PROPER CARE OF THE ELECTRONIC BALANCE
Our electronic balances cost around $1000 each and should be treated with due respect.
The following rules are strictly enforced. You may be asked to leave the lab and receive a
zero for the experiment if you violate them.
1. Never transfer any chemicals into a container while it is sitting on the balance pan.
Always remove the container from the balance pan first, and transfer the chemicals to
the container before returning it to the balance pan for weighing.
2. Should a spill occur in or around the area of the balance, notify your instructor
IMMEDIATELY.
3. Zero the balance after use.