Laboratory Tools in Chemistry
Safety Glasses
In all chemistry laboratories, it is essential to wear safety glasses to protect against eye irritation and potential blindness in the event of accidents. A small amount of acid can easily splatter from a container at any time, making this protective gear crucial.
Beaker
The beaker is a common laboratory vessel utilized for mixing, stirring, and heating chemical substances. It is usually marked for volume measurement and features a spout on its rim for pouring liquids. Available in various sizes, it’s important to note that beakers are not considered a precise method for measuring liquid volumes.
Erlenmeyer Flask
The Erlenmeyer flask is characterized by its narrow neck, which extends toward the base, allowing for easy mixing of liquids without the risk of spillage. Like the beaker, it includes markings for measuring volumes but is also recognized as an imprecise tool for such measurements.
Graduated Cylinder
Graduated cylinders are specifically designed for measuring the volume of liquids accurately. They feature measurement markings and come in various sizes; notably, a smaller diameter enhances measurement precision.
Volumetric Flask
The volumetric flask is designed with a long neck and is used for measuring precise liquid volumes. A small mark on the neck indicates the exact fill line. It’s essential to avoid using liquids that may experience temperature fluctuations, such as liquid water, as volume can be affected by temperature changes.
Balance and Crucible
The balance is employed to measure the mass of substances, while the crucible is used to contain chemicals during high-temperature heating processes.
Bunsen Burner
The Bunsen burner serves as a heat source in the laboratory. It is critical to maintain distance from flammable materials when using this equipment.
Tools in the Biology Laboratory
The following tools are utilized within biology laboratories:
| Tool Name | Uses |
|---|---|
| Compound Microscope | Equipped with two lenses for enlarging objects. |
| Cover Slip | Used to cover samples placed on microscope slides. |
| Microscope Slide | Designed for placing samples to be viewed under a microscope. |
| Magnifying Glass | Contains a single lens used to enlarge objects. |