A List of Chemistry Laboratory Apparatus and Their Uses

Jonny-Ringo, first and foremost, loves to read and write. One of his specialities is writing on chemistry.

A List of Basic Chemistry Apparatus

In most labs, you'll encounter the same basic apparatus. Here, you will find a picture and an explanation for how to use each piece of equipment. You will learn about:

• Safety goggles and safety equipment
• Beakers
• Erlenmeyer flasks, AKA conical flasks
• Florence flasks, AKA boiling flasks
• Test tubes, tongs, and racks
• Watch glasses
• Crucibles
• Funnels
• Graduated cylinders
• Volumetric flasks
• Droppers
• Pipettes
• Burets
• Ring stands, rings, and clamps
• Tongs and forceps
• Spatulas and scoopulas
• Thermometers
• Bunsen Burners
• Balances

The first and foremost rule of any laboratory is to be safe! This may seem obvious, but people often disregard safety protocols for one reason or another, putting themselves and those around them in danger. The best thing you can do is to make sure you follow all safety protocols at all times.

Safety goggles are required wear in all chemistry labs. Not wearing them puts you in danger of eye irritation and possibly blindness in the case of an accident. A small droplet of acid could splash out of the container at any time. Better safe than permanently blinded!

Latex gloves should be used when there is a possibility of corrosive chemicals spilling onto your hands.

A lab apron or coat can also prevent injury in case of spills or splashes.

Never wear open-toed shoes or sandals in a lab.

A beaker is a common container in most labs. It is used for mixing, stirring, and heating chemicals. Most beakers have spouts on their rims to aid in pouring. They also commonly have lips around their rims and markings to measure the volume they contain, although they are not a precise way to measure liquids. Beakers come in a wide range of sizes.

Because of the lip that runs around the rim, a lid for a beaker does not exist. However, a watch glass (discussed below) can be used to cover the opening to prevent contamination or splashing.

Also known as a conical flask, the Erlenmeyer flask was named after its inventor in 1861. It has a narrow neck and expands toward its base. This allows easy mixing and swirling of the flask without too much risk of spilling. The narrow opening also allows for the use of a rubber or glass stopper. It can easily be clamped to a ring stand (discussed below) as well as heated or shaken mechanically.

Scroll to Continue

Read More From Owlcation

Cultural Studies

6 Truly Weird Insects (With Photos)

9 Sun Gods and Goddesses From World Mythology

Once again, the marks on the side are meant primarily for estimation rather than precision.

An important safety tip here is to never heat this flask while it is capped. This could cause a pressure build-up that could result in explosion.

Also known as a boiling flask, the Florence flask has a round bottom and a long neck. It is used to hold liquids and can be easily swirled and heated. It can also easily be capped by rubber or glass stoppers.

Once again, safety dictates that this flask never be heated when capped. Pressure build-up and explosions can and do occur.

A test tube is a glass tube with one end open and the other end closed. The closed end is rounded. Test tubes are used to hold small samples. They are primarily used for qualitative assessment and comparison. A common place to see these is the biochemistry lab. When a large number of samples need to be tested and compared, test tubes are used to make this easier. They are also easily capped with a rubber or glass stopper.

They are generally held in a test tube rack specifically designed for the purpose. If the test tubes become unsafe to touch with bare hands (whether due to heat or another reason), test-tube tongs can be used to move them.

Never heat a capped test tube.

A watch glass is just a round piece of glass that is slightly concave/convex (think of a lens). It can hold a small amount of liquid or solid. They can be used for evaporation purposes and also can function as a lid for a beaker.

A crucible is a small clay cup made of a material that can withstand extreme temperatures. They are used for heating substances and come with lids.

A lab funnel is just like any other funnel except that it was designed to be used in a laboratory setting. They can be made of plastic or glass and can have either a short stem or a long stem, depending on what they are needed for. There are several sizes that can be chosen from based on the amount of liquid that needs to go through them quickly.

This is a primary measuring tool for the volume of a liquid. There are several markings up and down the length of the container with specific increments. Graduated cylinders come in many sizes. The smaller they are in diameter, the more specific the volume measurements will be.

When reading the volume from a graduated cylinder, you will notice that the liquid seems to have an indentation. The liquid around the edges will be higher than the liquid in the center, sloping down like the sides of a trampoline when someone is standing in the middle. This is called the meniscus. Line the lowest point of the meniscus up with the nearest marking, keeping the cylinder level to properly read the volume.

A volumetric flask is a round flask with a long neck and flat bottom. It is used to measure an exact volume of liquid. There is a small line on the neck that indicates how far to fill the bottle (use the bottom of the meniscus). They come with special caps that will not let anything in or out.

Remember that temperature affects volume; therefore avoid using liquids that will fluctuate in temperature (hot water that will cool, for example).

These are small glass tubes with narrow tips on one end and a rubber bulb on the other. They suck up liquid that can then be squeezed out in small drops. These can be used to add an indicator to a solution about to be titrated.

There are a large variety of pipettes designed to accomplish specific goals. However, they are all for measuring an exact volume of liquid and placing it into another container.

A buret is a glass tube that is open at the top and comes to a narrow pointed opening at the bottom. Right above the bottom opening is a stopcock that can be turned to control the amount of liquid being released. There are markings along the length of the tube that indicate the volume of liquid present.

A buret is used for extremely accurate addition of liquid. By adjusting the stopcock, the amount of liquid that is released can be slowed to a drop every few seconds. Burets are one of the most accurate tools in the lab.

Burets are set up by using a buret clamp in combination with a ring stand, discussed below.

To determine how much liquid is added, write down how much is initially in the buret. Then when you're finished adding, write down how much is left. Subtract the final amount from the initial amount and you have the volume of liquid added.

Again, remember to measure from the bottom of the meniscus!

Ring Stands, Rings, and Clamps

The ring stand is used to suspend burets, beakers, flasks, crucibles, etc. above other containers or, in some cases, a heat source (such as a Bunsen burner, discussed below).

Always make sure everything is clamped to the stand tightly. When clamping glass, be careful not to shatter the glass. Only tighten until snug.

When using a ring on the stand, there are usually other pieces necessary to accomplish the goal. Wire mesh is laid across the ring to distribute evenly heat and support the beaker. A clay triangle with an open center is used to suspend crucibles.

Make sure everything is balanced! Do not let the whole setup tip over.

Tongs and forceps are for grabbing things that should not be touched by hand. Some tongs are specially made to hold beakers, others to hold test tubes, and so on. There are also general tongs.

Forceps are used to grab small things like solid chemicals that are broken into chunks, so they can be safely handled and added to containers.

Spatulas and scoopulas are for scooping solid chemicals. They are typically used to scoop a chemical out of its original container onto a weigh boat so that it can be weighed on a balance.

A laboratory thermometer is used for measuring the temperature of liquids. It can be made of glass or it can be a thermocouple made of different metals.

A Bunsen burner is a mechanical apparatus that is connected to a flammable gas source. There is a knob to adjust the amount of gas flow and a rotating collar that controls airflow. These both must be adjusted to get an ideal flame for heating purposes. The burner is lit with a striker.

Utmost safety is required when using a Bunsen burner.

A balance is used to weigh chemicals. The chemicals are always in some form of container and never placed directly on the balance. It is important not to move a balance because they have been calibrated for the exact position they are in. Some balances have plastic housing with small doors to keep air currents from affecting the measurement. Close these doors whenever the balance is in use.

To use a balance to determine the weight of a chemical, first put the empty container that the chemical will be in on the balance. Once you have a reading, press the "tare" or "zero" button on the balance. Remove the container from the balance and add the chemical (never add chemicals to a container while it is on the balance). Reweigh after adding the chemical to find the weight of only the chemical.

It is important to keep the balance clean.

Comments

robrob on August 31, 2020:

this is alittle helpfull

iocaste on August 31, 2020:

this was helpful :)

Booboo on August 24, 2020:

Thanks, super helpful!

Louis on August 17, 2020:

This is the best ever.

gift on August 12, 2020:

it is really good

Bianca on August 10, 2020:

Thank You

Arslan on August 08, 2020:

Thx for this because it is really good for me and my project purpose

Romeo on August 06, 2020:

Thanks you a lot

jeff on August 03, 2020:

not much uses

Anna on July 27, 2020:

Thanks a whole lot,You guy's are the best. Thanks.

Varalakshmi on July 17, 2020:

Thanks alot. This website hepled alot.

Αεʂ. on July 14, 2020:

This website is packed! Helped alot, lots of information and equipment.

peter on June 28, 2020:

kindly furnish us updated prices please,

David on June 28, 2020:

the way you are teaching it is so amaizing

Chris Hemsworth on June 26, 2020:

This is awesome

I Love Cookies on June 26, 2020:

Ummm, does anyone, know what a spill is, I need to find a piece of equipment called a spill, not what happens if you spill chemicals, an actual apparatus called a spill, Plz help

Michael Wol Bol on June 26, 2020:

I like sciences subject so much

Rishav Kumar on June 17, 2020:

There should be it's uses also

jayne on June 13, 2020:

thanks alot

ssssskkkkkkkkrrrr on June 09, 2020:

i just use this for my homework tbh

Hellen lungu on June 07, 2020:

Thank you very much i like the way the notes are summarized they are easy to understand

Tiker on June 04, 2020:

I just need to know the apparatus that it can prevent direct heat to apparatus

Thank you so much for you help in show how you can practise you self at home during the pandemic of covid19 thank you so much

Sin on June 03, 2020:

#tHANKS

Hussain is dumb on June 02, 2020:

Thanks.

disha narayanan on May 30, 2020:

thank you so much. had exams coming up.

Codie on May 27, 2020:

I need apparatus the i can use for practical of separating the components of soil

Excel on May 24, 2020:

Thanks

Richmond Ayer Jerry on May 11, 2020:

Thanks for more

Humphrey on May 11, 2020:

Thanks

Ella on May 11, 2020:

Thanks

Abdulbasid rabiu on May 06, 2020:

Thank you more

Gift on April 29, 2020:

Thanks so much

OCH RON on April 29, 2020:

IT'S VERY IMPORTANCE.THANK

kawla Aydi on April 28, 2020:

very important to read this article..Thank you

Limon on April 26, 2020:

Thanks

Shagor Ahmed on April 21, 2020:

Thanks a lot

AJ on April 21, 2020:

Thanks. sth to read during covid-19 time

practice on April 21, 2020:

thanks for your memorable help

shreoshi saha on April 20, 2020:

thanks

Keza Sonia on April 17, 2020:

Thank you so much for all your help and support. My assignment is now done.

Bipasha Karmakar on April 17, 2020:

Mam I have to do assignment you will help me

PROMISE on April 14, 2020:

MY HOMEWORK IS DONE THANX

ART on April 09, 2020:

my homework complete

Samuel on April 06, 2020:

Thnx very much

Samuel chan on April 06, 2020:

Thanks 4 giving mi diz aparatu's name n dere functions

Joshua lemaiyan on April 06, 2020:

Not what am looking for,,but helpfull

DJ on April 02, 2020:

Thx for the apparatus name for my homework

MUSA on March 30, 2020:

THANKS, GOOD IN DETERMINING QUALITY ASSURANCE

Ay on March 28, 2020:

Thanks so much for help me completed my assignment

g on March 27, 2020:

thanks ladzzzz

Mariam on March 24, 2020:

Thank u my assignment is done

Mostafa on March 24, 2020:

thanks

hi on March 23, 2020:

helped

i have exam today on March 17, 2020:

thanks

hello on March 16, 2020:

awesome

kdjfuh on March 15, 2020:

this is very helpful for my study

AMJAD KAMAL BHARTI on March 13, 2020:

THANKS

Bibhu on March 11, 2020:

Thank you very much

mrs gelliew on March 10, 2020:

thanks it helped me very very much

John ocan. on March 06, 2020:

Thks u 4 giving me all the names of apparatus?

Nora on February 28, 2020:

Wow am really amazed by these

Aisha on February 24, 2020:

My name is Aisha Sadiq dis vry vry nice thanks once again

KIYALA GEORGE on February 23, 2020:

Thank u for teaching us your helping is highly apreciented

Hanako on February 21, 2020:

Thank you! This helped me so much in my exams.

Jackona on February 15, 2020:

Isn't a Florence flask like a volumetric flask?

Anonymous on February 15, 2020:

really good information and really specific ones too exellent!

Clement on February 13, 2020:

Thanks to these website... At least i get to know more apparatus that exists in a laboratory

WK on February 13, 2020:

Really helpful, Thnak you!

It was worth while on February 10, 2020:

It was worth my assignment thanks alot

Mulenga on February 09, 2020:

Nice notes

Ian on February 09, 2020:

Thanks for the info. Now I'm sure I will get a tick for my science adsignment.

caleb on February 09, 2020:

thanks it help me a lot it help me a lot

i hope you will be bless with more knowledge

ameerah on February 08, 2020:

Thanks

abubakar on February 07, 2020:

thanks a lot but my teacher ask me to give 50 chemistry laboratory apparatus

Mike on February 06, 2020:

Really good Info

James Jay on February 06, 2020:

this is really helpful though didn't cover the range of my assignment

umar lawal bakuru on February 04, 2020:

chemistry

Vishu kumar on February 03, 2020:

Very nice work

Parul Rajput on February 02, 2020:

Very use full thanks a lot

Cassius on January 31, 2020:

Thank you

Julius bitoe on January 26, 2020:

The apparatus use to measure liqlid

Maureen on January 24, 2020:

it very comprehensive

BONGI on January 23, 2020:

THANK YOU . YOU HELPED ME SO MUCH BECAUSE I AM ABOUT TO WRITE A TEST IN THE NEXT COMING HOURS

Zanna esteem on January 23, 2020:

Good

stephen on January 23, 2020:

very usefull thanks a lot

KInd burp on January 21, 2020:

this is really helpful for people who are just going back in a chemistry class and want to remember stuff

Hakeem on January 18, 2020:

Thanks a lot

L.G. on January 16, 2020:

I liked the descriptions along with the actual names of the lab equipment. Some information that I found here was not on other websites. Thank you!

Corey O'Connor on January 16, 2020:

it was not that useful

Renu Redhu on January 15, 2020:

Nice it is very beneficial for the students

Dawn on January 14, 2020:

I do not think u are doing a good job especially for students ads r so not needed and related searches do not really relate so I think a change is needed as a student

ozioko patience on January 12, 2020:

Secince is the best

Apya Emmanuel on January 11, 2020:

Just perfect

Nwankwo Victoria on January 11, 2020:

It help alot in school activities

Esther on January 09, 2020:

It helps alot in assignment

TA3MΠon January 09, 2020:

Thank you po

Chem on January 07, 2020:

Thanks! It helped me a lot on my assignment.

charlie on January 06, 2020:

Good job!

Appiah gideon on January 04, 2020:

It really awesome,it guide me to do my assignment.

Naimat Adeoye on January 03, 2020:

It really help alot in my assignment.