Lab Equipment

This is not an exhaustive list, but it includes most of the items we will use this year. You are expected to call items by their proper names and also describe what they are used for! Equipment Name 1. Test tube rack Picture Description of Use A wooden or plastic stand that holds a large number of test tubes at one time.

2. Test tube holder

A small metal tool designed to hold a single test tube.

3. Test tube brush

A long, think brush used to clean test tubes after use.

4. Test tube

A small, tube-shaped piece of glassware used for holding substances during experiments.

5. Beaker

A cylinder glass container that is used for holding liquids and mixing substances. The markings on its side are only estimates, so this should not be used for measuring accurate volumes.

6. Erlenmeyer flask

A piece of glassware with a wide, circular base and a narrow neck. It is used as a container for liquids and allows for safe swirling of a liquid without the liquid splashing out. The markings on its side are only estimates, so this should not be used for measuring accurate volumes. A glass or plastic cylinder that has measurements marked along its side. It is used to measure accurate volumes of liquids in milliliters by comparing the bottom of the meniscus to the measurements marked on its side.

7. Graduated cylinder

8. Hot plate

An electrical device for heating solutions.

9. Ring stand with iron ring

An iron support structure with a heavy based used to hold glass and porcelain containers.

10. Utility clamp

Attached to a ring stand and used to hold a test tube or Erlenmeyer flask above the table during an experiment.

11. Clay triangle

Used to support a crucible on an iron ring so that it may be heated with a Bunsen burner.

12. Funnel

A cone-shaped piece of plastic or glassware that is used to pour solutions into a container.

13. Filter paper

Used with a glass funnel to separate a solid from a liquid. The solid stays on the paper, while the liquid goes through the paper and out of the funnel.

14. Balance

Used to find the mass of an object. Hot objects should never be placed on this lab equipment.

15. Stir rod

A piece of glass that is used for stirring solutions. It also can be used to prevent splashing with pouring liquid from one container to another. Used for picking up items that are dangerous to pick up by hand.

16. Tongs

17. Watch glass

A rounded piece of glass shaped like a lens in a pair of glasses. It can be used as an evaporating dish or to cover beakers to keep a gas from escaping.

18. Thermometer

Used to measure the temperature of solids, liquids, or gases. Scales may be in different units, from degrees Celsius to degrees Fahrenheit or Kelvin.

19. Litmus paper or pH paper

Used to test the acidity or basicity of a substance.

20. Weigh boat

Flexible, disposable containers for holding liquids or solids on a balance in order to find their mass.

21. Mortar and pestle

A tool used to crush, grind, and mix sold substances. The substance is placed in the mortar and ground, crushed or mixed with the pestle.

22. Pipette

A tool used to transport a measured volume of liquid.