Overview
This lecture lists and briefly describes 50 commonly used pieces of science laboratory equipment, focusing on their main functions and uses.
Containers & Glassware
- Beaker: Holds, heats, or mixes chemicals.
- Erlenmeyer (Conical) Flask: Wide base, narrow mouth for holding, heating, and storing liquids.
- Florence Flask: Round body, flat bottom for heating and holding liquids.
- Test Tube: Used for storing, mixing, and heating small amounts of chemicals.
- Volumetric Flask: Measures a specific volume for accurate solutions.
- Evaporating Dish: Recovers solids by evaporating liquids.
- Petri Dish: Used to grow microorganisms or store small specimens.
- Wash Bottle: Rinses laboratory glassware.
- Watch Glass: Evaporates liquids, holds solids, or covers beakers.
- Weigh Boat: Holds solids for weighing.
- Vacuum Filter Flask: Used with vacuum and Buchner funnel for filtration.
- Dropper/Disposable Pipette: Transfers small amounts of liquid drop by drop.
- Separatory Funnel: Separates immiscible liquids or dispenses drops.
- Pipet: Dispenses measured liquid volumes.
- Graduated Cylinder: Measures specific liquid volumes accurately.
- Syringe: Injects or withdraws fluids.
Heating & Supporting Equipment
- Bunsen Burner: Provides an open flame heat source.
- Hot Plate: Heats substances in beakers or flasks.
- Crucible with Lid: Heats small quantities to high temperatures.
- Tripod: Supports beakers or flasks when heating.
- Wire Gauze: Spreads heat evenly under glassware.
- Pipe Stem Triangle (Clay Triangle): Supports crucibles while heating.
- Ring Clamp & Stand: Supports glassware above burners.
- Utility Clamp: Attaches glassware to ring stand.
- Buret Clamp: Secures burettes on ring stands.
Measuring & Dispensing Tools
- Buret: Precisely delivers liquids for titrations.
- Thermometer: Measures temperature of solids, liquids, and gases.
- Electronic Balance: Weighs materials accurately.
- Stopwatch: Times intervals during experiments.
- Compass: Shows direction (for physics/field experiments).
Handling & Safety Equipment
- Forceps (Tweezers): Moves small items or for dissection.
- Spatula: Moves small amounts of solids.
- Scopula: Scoops powders or solids.
- Tong: Transports hot crucibles and dishes.
- Test Tube Holder: Holds test tubes during heating.
- Test Tube Rack: Holds multiple test tubes.
- Rubber Stopper: Seals flasks/test tubes, sometimes with holes for probes.
- Funnel: Pours liquids or supports filter paper.
- Mortar and Pestle: Crushes or grinds solids.
- Goggles (Safety Glasses): Protects eyes from hazards.
- Magnifying Glass: Magnifies small items.
- Microscope: Observes very small objects, like cells.
- Magnet: Provides an external magnetic field.
Cleaning Tools
- Test Tube Brush: Cleans test tubes.
- Glass Rod: Stirs liquids.
Ignition & Lighting
- Striker: Lights a gas burner.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Beaker — A simple container for stirring, mixing, and heating liquids.
- Bunsen Burner — A device producing an open flame for heating.
- Buret — A glass tube for dispensing precise liquid volumes in titrations.
- Graduated Cylinder — A tall, narrow container marked for precise liquid volume measurement.
- Crucible — A ceramic or metal container for heating substances to very high temperatures.
- Erlenmeyer Flask — A conical flask suitable for mixing and heating liquids.
- Wire Gauze — A mesh used to distribute heat evenly under containers.
- Test Tube — A small tube-shaped glass container for reactions and heating.
- Magnet — An object creating a magnetic field, used in physics labs.
- Microscope — Instrument for viewing objects too small for the naked eye.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review each piece of equipment and its function for lab safety and practical exams.