Laboratory Tools and Apparatuses
Tools include beakers, microscopes, tweezers, hot plates, lasers, volt meters, test tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks, thermometers, test tube racks, Bunsen burners, crucibles, tripods and more.They are used to measure, observe and gather data for experiments, as well as to safely perform reactions and to heat things. More advanced laboratory equipment includes items such as spectrometers, centrifuges and chromatographs.
Of utmost importance are these safety tools:
- Eye wash: In case materials get into your eyes, use this to rinse them out.
- Safety shower: In case materials get onto your clothing or body, use this to rinse them off.
Tools and their uses:
- beaker - a liquid-measuring container
- burette - measures volume of solution
- clay triangle - a wire frame with porcelain used to support a crucible
- wire gauze - used to spread heat of a burner flame
- test tube - used as holder of small amount of solution
- forceps - holds or pick up small objects
- graduated cylinder - measures approximate volume of liquids
- graduated pipette - measures solution volumes
- condenser - used in distillation
- crucible - used to heat a small amount of a solid substance at a very high temperature
- funnel - used to transfer solids and liquids without spilling
- thermometer - measures temperature
- balance - measures mass of material
- pH meter - measures acidity of solutions
- centrifuge - separates materials of varying density
- pipette - used to transfer measured substances into another vessel
- droppers - for addition of liquids, drop by drop
- glass funnels - for funneling liquids from one container to another, or for filtering when equipped with filter paper.
- graduated cylinders - for measurement of an amount of liquid. The volume of liquid can be estimated to the nearest 0.1 mL with practice.
- ring stand (with rings or clamps) - for holding pieces of glassware in place.
- test tubes - for holding small samples or for containing small-scale reactions
- test-tube holders - for holding test tubes when tubes should not be touched
- tongs - similar function to forceps, but are useful for larger items
- volumetric flasks - to measure precise volumes of liquid or to make precise dilutions.
- wash bottles - for dispensing small quantities of distilled water.
- watch glasses - for holding small samples or for covering beakers or evaporating dishes.
- wire gauze on a ring - supports beakers to be heated by Bunsen burners
