Essential Lab Equipment: Uses and Functions

Mixing and Measuring

Agitator

An agitator is a machine used for mixing liquids, typically with an electromagnet.

Beaker

A beaker is a cylindrical container made of glass that is very commonly used in the laboratory, mainly to prepare or heat substances.

Burette

A burette is used for decantation and for transferring and dispensing liquids or fluids.

Graduated Cylinder

A graduated cylinder is used to measure volumes of liquids.

Micropipettes

Micropipettes are used to measure and extract very small amounts of liquids from a solution.

Pipette

A pipette is used to accurately measure volumes of liquids.

Volumetric Flask

A volumetric flask is used to prepare solutions and to know the volume.

Heating and Support

Bunsen Burner

A Bunsen burner is used to heat chemical reagents or to sterilize samples.

Crucible and Cover

A crucible and cover are used for heating different substances at very high temperatures.

Evaporating Dish

An evaporating dish is used for heating stable solid compounds and elements.

Lab Burner

A lab burner is used to heat substances with a flame.

Pipestem Triangle

A pipestem triangle is used as a support for crucibles when being heated over a lab burner.

Ring

A ring is used with a ring stand to hold a glass container.

Ring Stand

A ring stand is used to support lab apparatuses.

Round-Bottom Flask

A round-bottom flask is used to hold solutions and usually to make distillations.

Tripod

A tripod is used to hold flasks, beakers, or other glass containers when they are being heated on the Bunsen burner.

Wire Gauze

Wire gauze is used to support a container while it is being heated.

Containment and Transfer

Assorted Rubber Stoppers

Assorted rubber stoppers are used to seal reaction containers like a flask or a test tube.

Corks

Corks are used to cover flasks, tubes, etc. containing different substances.

Erlenmeyer Flask

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

Funnel

A funnel is used to transfer liquid or substances into containers with a small opening.

Gas Bottle

A gas bottle is a bottle that contains gas, liquids, etc.

Separating Funnel

A separating funnel is used to contain substances with different densities. It is used to separate substances with different densities.

Test Tubes

Test tubes are used for containing different substances and carrying out reactions.

Test Tube Rack

A test tube rack is used to hold test tubes.

Wash Bottle

A wash bottle contains liquids and is used to clean material in general. It is used to clean the reagent that you use in a sample.

Watch Glass

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

Other Essential Tools

Desiccator

A desiccator is used so that when you insert something hot, it cools without taking on moisture.

Dropper

A dropper is used to transfer a small volume of liquid, usually one drop at a time.

File

A file is used to shape and smooth down surfaces.

Forceps

Forceps are used to hold or pick up small objects.

Mortar and Pestle

A mortar and pestle are used to crush different substances.

Pipette Bulb

A pipette bulb is used to make the pipette absorb/suck liquids.

Safety Goggles

Safety goggles are used to protect the eyes when you do different experiments.

Scoopula

A scoopula is used to transfer solids.

Spatula

A spatula is used to take and handle small quantities of solids.

Stirring Rod

A stirring rod is used to mix samples.

Test Tube Holder

A test tube holder is used to pick up/hold the test tubes.

Thermometer

A thermometer is used to measure the temperature.

Tongs

Tongs are used to hold many different things when they are hot.

Utility Clamp

A utility clamp is used to secure test tubes, distillation tubes, and burettes to the ring stand.

Vacuum Pipette

A vacuum pipette is used to measure or transfer very small amounts of liquids.

Wire Brush

A wire brush is used to clean the inside of test tubes or other long-necked glassware.

24-Well Plate

A 24-well plate contains small quantities of substances, liquids, etc.