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Laboratory Equipment

Definitions and Uses

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Glassware

Glassware can be divided into 2 groups

Non-Volumetric Glassware

  • Beaker
  • Erlenmeyer Flask

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Volumetric Glassware

  • Graduated Cylinder

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Beaker… Not Beaker

  • A glass with a wide mouth and usually a lip for pouring. Sizes range from 50 mL to 1,000mL.

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  • Used for mixing, holding, and heating liquids. It can also be used to transfer liquids from one container to another.

  • They are marked on the side (graduated) to indicate the approximate volume of their contents.

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  • This is NOT used for ACCURATE measurement

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Erlenmeyer Flask

  • A flat-bottomed laboratory flask that tapers upward to a straight neck

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  • Useful in the lab setting for stirring the contents by hand by swirling the flask

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  • They are marked on the side (graduated) to indicate the approximate volume of their contents.

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  • This is NOT used for ACCURATE measurement

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Graduated Cylinder

  • A tall narrow container with a volume scale

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  • Used to measure liquid volume exactly from 10 mL to 100 mL.

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  • Used for accurate and precise measurement.

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Test Tube

  • A plain or lipped tube usually of thin glass closed at one end and used especially in chemistry and biology

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  • Used by chemists to hold, mix, or heat small quantities of solid or liquid chemicals.

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Other Laboratory Equipment

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Test Tube Rack

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  • Used in the laboratory for holding test tubes.

  • A test tube rack can hold about 6-12 test tubes.

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Funnel

  • A hollow cone with a tube extending from the smaller end designed to catch and direct a downward flow

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  • Used to channel liquid or fine-grained substances into containers with a small opening.

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Pipette

  • A small piece of apparatus which typically consists of a narrow tube into which fluid is drawn by suction

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  • Used to transport a small amount of a liquid

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Tongs

  • A device usually of two movable pieces joined at one end 

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  •  Used for grasping and lifting containers of heat-resistant material used in high temperature chemical reactions. 

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Ring Stand and Ring Clamp

  • A metal stand consisting of a long upright rod attached to a heavy rectangular base

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  • Used for supporting laboratory equipment 

Clamp

Ring Stand

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Thermometer and Thermometer Clamp

  • A thermometer is an instrument for measuring temperature
    • Used to take temperature in Celsius

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  • A thermometer clamp is a lightweight clamp for supporting thermometers
    • Used to hold thermometer on ring stand

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Forceps

  • A small instrument that is used like pincers in grasping or pulling something

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  • Used for picking up objects too small to be easily handled

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Triple Beam Balances & Digital Balances

  • Used to measure masses; the reading error is 0.05 gram.
  • The mass range for a balance is 1g to 610g.
  • Used to measure masses very precisely
  • The mass range for a balance is 0.5g to 600g.

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Bunsen Burner

  • A common piece of laboratory equipment that produces a single open gas flame.

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  • Used to heat laboratory samples when the desired temperature is 100°C or higher 

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Goggles

  • Protective eyewear around the facial area surrounding the eyes.

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  • Provide more protection than safety glasses from impact, dust, liquid splash, optical radiation and high heat hazards.

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  • Sanitized in 5 minutes using UV light. 

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Test Tube Brush

  • Used to clean test tubes

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  • Located in beakers next to each sink

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Thermometer

  • An instrument for measuring and indicating temperature

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  • Measures temperature in oC

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Petri Dish

  • A small shallow dish of thin glass or plastic with a loose cover

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  • Used for holding a culture medium upon which cells, bacteria, and viruses can be grown

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References