Lab Equipment

Question 1

Beaker

Answer 1

Beaker holds solids or liquids that will not release gases when reacted or are unlikely to splatter if stirred or heated.

Question 2

Erlenmeyer Flask

Answer 2

Erlenmeyer flasks hold solids or liquids that may release gases during a reaction or that are likely to splatter if stirred or heated.

Question 3

Florence Flask

Answer 3

Rarely used in first year chemistry, it is used for the mixing of chemicals. Narrow neck prevents splash exposure.

Question 4

Graduated Cylinder

Answer 4

A graduated cylinder is used to measure volumes of liquids.

Question 5

Test Tubes

Question 6

Test Tube Holder

Answer 6

A test tube holder is useful for holding a test tube which is too hot to handle.

Question 7

Test Tube Brushes

Answer 7

Test tube brushes are used to clean test tubes and graduated cylinders.

Forcing a large brush into a small test tube will often break the tube.

Question 8

Test Tube Racks

Answer 8

Test tube racks are for holding and organizing test tubes on the lab counter. Plastic racks may melt in contact with very hot test tubes.

Question 9

Spot Plates

Answer 9

Spot plates are used when we want to perform many small scale reactions at one time. We will use these many times during the year.

Question 10

Watch Glass

Answer 10

A watch glass is used to hold a small amount of solid, such as the product of a reaction.

Question 11

Stir Rod

Answer 11

A glass rod is used to manually stir solutions. It can also be used to transfer a single drop of a solution.

Question 12

Dropper

Answer 12

A medicine dropper is used to transfer a small volume of liquid (less than one mL).

Question 13

Forceps

Answer 13

Forceps (or tweezers) are used to pick up small objects.

Question 14

Funnel

Answer 14

A funnel is used to aid in the transfer of liquid from one vessel to another.

Question 15

(Mohr) Pipet

Answer 15

A Mohr pipet measures and delivers exact volumes of liquids.

Question 16

Wash Bottle

Answer 16

A wash bottle has a spout that delivers a wash solution to a specific area. Distilled water is the only liquid that should be used in a wash bottle.

Question 17

Weighing Boat

Answer 17

Weighing boats are used to weigh solids that will be transferred to another vessel.

Question 18

Spatulas

Answer 18

Spatulas are used to dispense solid chemicals from their containers.

Chemicals should never be transferred with your bare hands.

Question 19

Beaker Tongs

Answer 19

Beaker tongs are used to move beakers containing hot liquids.

Question 20

Bunsen Burner

Answer 20

Bunsen burners are used for the heating of nonvolatile liquids and solids.

Question 21

Evaporating Dish

Answer 21

The evaporating dish is used for the heating of stable solid compounds and elements.

Question 22

Crucible

Answer 22

Crucibles are used for heating certain solids, particularly metals, to very high temperatures.

Question 23

Clay Triangle

Answer 23

The clay triangle is used as a support for porcelain crucibles when being heated over a Bunsen burner.

Question 24

Crucible Tongs

Answer 24

For handling hot crucibles: also used to pick up other hot objects. NOT to be used for picking up beakers.

Question 25

Glass Plates

Answer 25

Glass plates provide a surface for semi-micro scale experiments, such as drop reactions and testing of acids and bases.

Question 26

Ring Stands and their Components

Answer 26

Ring stands are a safe and convenient way to perform reactions that require heating using a Bunsen burner.

Question 27

Iron Rings

Answer 27

Iron rings connect to a ring stand and provide a stable, elevated platform for the reaction.

Question 28

Utility Clamps

Answer 28

Utility clamps are used to secure test tubes, distillation columns, and burets on the ring stand.

Question 29

Wire Gauze

Answer 29

Wire gauze sits on the iron ring to provide a place to stand a beaker.

On older wire gauze, the white material is asbestos.

Question 30

Strikers

Answer 30

The flints on strikers are expensive. Do not operate the striker repeatedly just to see the sparks.