LABORATORY EQUIPMENTS
BEAKER
Beakers are containers which can be used for carrying out reactions, heating solutions, and for water
baths. They are for containing and transferring liquids, not for measurements.
ERLENMAYER FLASK
Erlenmayer flasks are conical shaped flasks, which are made of Pyrex, are safe for heating solutions,
recrystallizations and chemical storage. Because of its conical shape they are best for using with
equipment with stopcocks such as separatory funnels and burettes. They are also, like beakers, for
containing and transferring liquids not for making measurements.
GRADUATED CYLINDER
Graduated cylinders are used for measuring the volumes of liquids from a few milliliters to many liters.
It is important to choose the graduated cylinder according to the amount of liquid to be measured for
more accurate measurements. Always read meniscus point for graduated cylinders, pipettes, volumetric
flasks and burettes.
What is Meniscus Point and how to read it? Meniscus point occurs when liquid molecules
adheres themselves onto the walls of the glassware. This phenomenon is known as adhesion.
Always read the value right at the bottom of the meniscus
VOLUMETRIC FLASK
Volumetric flasks are used for measuring very precise and accurate amount of a liquid and is used for
such when the amount is too much for pipette or burette. They are also used for solution preparation.
PIPETTE
Pipette is a glass tube used for the delivery of a measured quantity of liquids. There are two kinds of
pipettes:
a) Graduated (Measuring) Pipette: has many graduated marks, much like a graduated cylinder that
can deliver moderately accurate volumes (left picture)
b) Volumetric (Transfer) Pipette: a kind with a bulbous middle section that has a single mark for the
quantitative delivery of a single volume of liquid each time (middle and right picture)
SUCTION DEVICE
A suction device or rubber bulb is a device to place on top of pipettes for generation of vacuum to
transfer known volume of liquid, usually from one container to another.
BURETTE
Burette is a vertical cylindircal piece of laboratory glassware with a volumetric graduation on its full length
and a stopcock on the bottom. It is used to dispense known amounts of a liquid reagent in a titration
experiment.
FUNNEL
Funnels are used for pouring liquids from one container to another. In addition, with the aid of filter paper,
they can be used as separation devices to separate liquids from solids. It is fixed by a ring support on a
stand.
TEST TUBE
Test tubes are used as containers for solids and liquids to perform quick tests for properties such as
solubility, effect of heat, etc. They can also be used as centrifuge tubes when a separation of solid and liquid
is necessary.
BALANCE
A balance is a scale for weighing; to obtain mass of various objects.
STIRRING ROD
A stirring rod is made of solid glass and used to stir liquids in flasks or beakers.
MAGNETIC BAR
Magnetic bars employ rotating magnetic field to mix a chemical mixture or a reaction continuously
once they are placed in. For a magnetic bar to work a stirrer must be placed below or a heater with a
stirrer feature.
THERMOMETER (TERMOMETRE)
A thermometer is a device used to measure temperatures or temperature changes.
