Overview
This lecture reviews the essential laboratory safety gear and common chemistry tools and equipment, explaining their uses and importance in the lab.
Safety Gear
- Always wear safety goggles, latex gloves, and a lab coat to protect against chemical exposure.
Measurement Equipment
- Electronic balance measures the mass of substances accurately.
- Graduated cylinder is used to measure precise volumes of liquids.
- Volumetric flask prepares solutions to an exact volume, marked by a calibration line.
- Volumetric pipet measures and transfers exact liquid volumes with high accuracy.
- Buret dispenses and measures accurate liquid volumes in titrations.
Heating and Support Equipment
- Bunsen burner provides a flame for heating substances; keep flammable materials away.
- Ring stand supports glassware and equipment during experiments.
- Ring clamp and utility clamp secure glassware to the ring stand.
- Wire gauze supports containers like beakers while heating.
- Clay triangle supports a crucible during high-temperature heating.
Glassware and Handling Tools
- Beaker is used to hold, mix, and heat liquids.
- Conical flask (Erlenmeyer flask) holds and mixes chemicals with minimal risk of spilling.
- Test tube is used to hold and mix small quantities of liquids.
- Evaporating dish heats liquids for evaporation.
- Crucible is a ceramic container used for heating chemicals to high temperatures.
Tools for Handling and Transferring Substances
- Beaker tongs handle hot beakers safely.
- Crucible tongs hold crucibles while hot.
- Forceps are used to pick up or hold small objects.
- Scoopula transfers solid chemicals.
- Wash bottle rinses glassware and adds small amounts of water.
- Stirring rod, usually glass, is used for mixing substances.
- Pipet bulb draws liquids into a pipet for transfer.
- Funnel transfers liquids or fine materials and aids in filtration.
- Mortar and pestle crush and grind materials.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Electronic Balance — device for measuring mass.
- Graduated Cylinder — tall, narrow container for measuring liquid volume.
- Volumetric Flask — flask for preparing precise solution volumes.
- Buret — tube for accurately dispensing liquid.
- Bunsen Burner — gas burner for heating.
- Beaker — common glass container for liquids.
- Crucible — ceramic vessel for high-temperature heating.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Watch the video "A Brief History of Chemistry" to learn about the origins of some laboratory tools.