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When you step into the lab for the first time, you may be overwhelmed with all the different equipment available to you. While the sheer amount of equipment may be overwhelming, don't fret! Today we will be walking through the different common chemistry lab equipment, so by the end, you can tell the difference between a pipette and a buret…
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Jetzt kostenlos anmeldenWhen you step into the lab for the first time, you may be overwhelmed with all the different equipment available to you. While the sheer amount of equipment may be overwhelming, don't fret! Today we will be walking through the different common chemistry lab equipment, so by the end, you can tell the difference between a pipette and a buret like a pro!
While the exact pieces of lab equipment will vary from lab to lab, there are some common pieces of equipment found in every lab. Different labs specialize in different things, so of course, they are going to have different equipment.
In the next section below, there is a list of some common chemistry equipment that you will likely encounter and use in the lab.
We are going to break this very big list down into sections based on the general use/type of equipment.
Glassware refers to the different measuring tools made of glass. These can be used just for measurement, but also to contain different reactants/products.
Erlenmeyer flask: Used to measure volume and/or used as a container
Beaker: Used to measure volume and/or used as a container
Volumetric flask: Used to measure volume
Graduated cylinder: used to measure volume
5. Graduated Pipette: Used to dispense specific volumes of liquid
6. Buret: Used to dispense specific volumes of liquid
7. Test tube: Used to contain liquids or solids
8. Funnel: Used to transfer liquids
Keep in mind that these aren't all the glassware you will see, but they are the most common
Cleaning glassware is an important part of working in the lab. If glassware isn't cleaned properly, residual chemicals can react with your experiment and cause all kinds of error!
Here are the general steps for cleaning glassware:
You should always allow your glassware to air dry. Wiping with a paper towel can cause impurities.
While in the lab, there will be a number of devices you can use to perform specific functions.
1. Bunsen burner: Used to heat substances
2. Hot plate: Used to heat substances
4. Microscope: Used to magnify objects
For this section, we are going to look at some pieces of equipment that didn't fall under the previous two categories, but are just as important!
1. Ring stand: Used to hold equipment, such as glassware
2. Buret clamp: Used to clamp in place burets
3. Utility clamp: Used to hold glassware. Usually attached to a ring stand
4. Crucible tongs: Used to grasp hot things
5. Wash bottle: Plastic bottles used to dispense liquid, usually for cleaning
6. Watch glass: A glass plate used to place substances
After looking at those long lists of chemistry equipment, you might be wondering, "But what about safety equipment?"
Safety is of the utmost importance in the lab. While working in the lab, you might end up coming into contact with some dangerous chemicals! Below is a list of the personal protective equipment (PPE) designed to keep you safe in the lab.
But what about when something goes wrong? There are also several pieces of equipment in the lab to be used in case of an emergency. The location of these pieces of equipment can differ between labs, so always ask someone where each is located before performing any experiments.
To learn more about the different lab safety equipment, please read our article "Lab Safety".
When working in a more specialized lab, you will of course see more specialized equipment.
Organic chemistry is the study of carbon-based compounds. Organic chemists focus on understanding the structure, properties, and reactions of these carbon-based compounds.
Some equipment organic chemists use is:
Not every organic chemistry lab will have these specific devices, but they are widely used.
Analytical chemistry uses instruments to quantify and understand different properties of matter. Analytical chemistry relies heavily on different analytical machinery, so there is plenty of specialized lab equipment for this purpose. Some of these are:
Analytical chemistry is all about measurements, so there is a lot of different equipment to choose from. The equipment in the previous section could also be used for analytical chemistry. Labs often combine different subtopics of chemistry, which is why you may analytical tools in an organic chemistry lab and so on.
Erlenmeyer flask.
Beaker.
Volumetric flask.
Graduated cylinder.
Graduated Pipette.
Buret.
Test tube.
Funnel.
While in the lab, there will be a number of devices you can use to perform specific functions:
Bunsen burner.
Hot plate.
Utility clamp.
Crucible tongs.
Wash bottle.
Watch glass.
You should always handle your glassware and equipment with care. For glassware, you can clean it with either distilled water, acetone, ethanol, or a strong base bath for stronger chemicals.
Depending on the discipline of the lab, different equipment are used. In general, here are some common equipment in a chemistry lab:
Bunsen burner
Hot plate
An apparatus is a fancy name for equipment with a specific use. In chemistry, this can mean anything from an Erlenmeyer flask to a Bunsen burner.
To set up a chemistry lab, you need to first understand what experiment is being performed and what materials are needed. Once you have made sure that each piece of equipment has been cleaned and dried, you can set up your glassware at your station to be used later.
Analytical chemistry uses instruments to quantify and understand different properties of matter. Analytical chemistry relies heavily on different analytical machinery, so there is plenty of specialized lab equipment for this purpose. Some of these are:
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