Lab Equipment

Beaker

Beakers hold solids or

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

Beaker tongs are

used to move beakers
containing hot liquids
Erlenmeyer Flask

Erlenmeyer flasks hold

solids or liquids that may
release gases during a
reaction or that are
likely to splatter if
stirred or heated.
 Florence Flask

Rarely used in first year

chemistry, it is used for
the mixing of chemicals.
Narrow neck prevents
splash exposure.
 Graduated Cylinder

A graduated
cylinder is used to
measure volumes of
liquids.
 Test Tubes
13 x 100 mm test tubes

Ignition
tube

10 x 75 mm test tubes
 Test Tube Holder

A test tube holder is

useful for holding a
test tube which is
too hot to handle.
 Test Tube Brushes
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.
Test Tube Racks

Test tube racks are for holding

and organizing test tubes on
the laboratory counter.
After washing flip test tube
over on wooden peg to dry.
Rubber Stoppers

Rubber stoppers are used

to close containers to avoid
spillage or contamination.

Containers should never be

heated when there is a
stopper in place.
 Spot Plates

Spot plates are used when

we want to perform many
small scale reactions at
one time.
Glass Stir Rod

A glass rod is used to

manually stir solutions.
It can also be used to
transfer a single drop of
a solution.
 Forceps

Forceps (or tweezers) are used to pick up small

objects.
 Funnel

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

A watch glass is used to

hold a small amount of
solid, such as the
product of a reaction.
Wash Bottle

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.
 Weighing Boat

Weighing boats are used to

weigh solids that will be
transferred to another
vessel.
Bunsen Burner

Bunsen burners are used

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

The flints on strikers are

expensive. Do not operate
the striker repeatedly
just to see the sparks!
Evaporating Dish

The evaporating dish is

used for the heating of
stable solid compounds
and elements.
Crucible

Crucibles are used for

heating certain solids,
particularly metals, to
very high temperatures.
 Clay Triangle

The clay triangle is used

as a support for
porcelein crucibles when
being heated over a
Bunsen burner.
 Crucible Tongs

For handling hot crucibles;

also used to pick up other
hot objects. NOT to be
used for picking up
beakers!
Ringstands and their Components

Ringstand

Ringstands are a safe and

convenient way to perform
reactions that require heating
using a Bunsen burner.
 Ringstands and their Components

Utility Clamps

Utility clamps are used to

secure test tubes,
distillation columns, and
burets to the ringstand.
 Ringstands and their Components

Iron Ring

Iron rings connect to a

ringstand and provide a
stable, elevated platform
for the reaction.
 Ringstands and their Components
Wire Gauze

Wire gauze sits on the iron

ring to provide a place to
stand a beaker.
 Ringstands and their Components
Double Buret Clamps
Double Buret
clamps are used to
burets – long
graduated tubes
used in titration.
Triangular File

Triangular files are

used primarily to cut
glass rod, a skill
that your instructor
will share with you
when it becomes
useful.
Litmus Paper

Red litmus paper is

used to identify
bases.

Blue litmus paper is

used to identify
acids.
 Gas Collecting Bottle

We use gas collecting bottles

when large volumes of gases are
produced, and must be collected
by the displacement of water.
 Medicine Dropper

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

On top of each medicine dropper is a “rubber bulb”

Mohr Pipet

A Mohr pipet
measures and
delivers exact
volumes of liquids.
 Glass Plates

Glass plates provide a

surface for semi-micro
scale experiments,
such as drop reactions
and testing of acids
and bases.
 Spatulas
Spatulas are used to
dispense solid chemicals
from their containers.

Chemicals should never

be transferred with
your bare hands.
Lab Safety
 General Rules

• Be alert and responsible at

all times in the laboratory.

• Follow all written and

verbal instructions
carefully. If you do not
understand a direction or
part of a procedure, ASK
BEFORE PROCEEDING
WITH THE ACTIVITY.
 General Rules

• Never work alone in the

laboratory. No student may
work in the science
classroom without the
presence of the teacher.

• When first entering a

science room, do not touch
any equipment, chemicals,
or other materials in the
laboratory area until you
are instructed to do so.
 General Rules

• Perform only those

experiments authorized by
your teacher. Carefully follow
all instructions, both written
and oral. Unauthorized
experiments are not allowed.

• Do not eat food, drink

beverages, or chew gum in the
laboratory. Do not use
laboratory glassware as
containers for food or
beverages.
 General Rules

• Be prepared for your

work in the laboratory.
Read all procedures
thoroughly before
entering the
laboratory. Never fool
around in the
laboratory.
• Always work in a well-
ventilated area.
 General Rules

• Observe good housekeeping

practices. Work areas
should be kept clean and
tidy at all times.

• Be alert and proceed with

caution at all times in the
laboratory. Notify the
teacher immediately of any
unsafe conditions you
observe.
 General Rules

• Dispose of all chemical waste

properly. Never mix chemicals
in sink drains. Sinks are to be
used only for water. Check with
your teacher for disposal of
chemicals and solutions.

• Labels and equipment

instructions must be read
carefully before use. Set up and
use the equipment as directed
by your teacher.
 General Rules

• Keep hands away from face, eyes,

mouth, and body while using
chemicals or lab equipment. Wash
your hands with soap and water
after performing all experiments.

• Experiments must be personally

monitored at all times. Do not
wander around the room, distract
other students, startle other
students, or interfere with the
laboratory experiments of others.
 General Rules

• Know the locations and

operating procedures of all
safety equipment including:
first aid kit(s), and fire
extinguisher. Know where
the fire alarm and the exits
are located.

• Know what to do if there is a

fire drill during a laboratory
period; containers must be
closed, and any electrical
equipment turned off.
 Glassware Safety

• Any time chemicals, heat, or

glassware are used, students
will wear safety goggles.
NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS
RULE!

• Dress properly during a

laboratory activity. Long hair,
dangling jewelry, and loose or
baggy clothing are a hazard in
the laboratory. Long hair must
be tied back, and dangling
jewelry and baggy clothing
must be secured. Shoes must
completely cover the foot. No
sandals allowed on lab days.
 Glassware Safety

• Report any accident (spill,

breakage, etc.) or injury
(cut, burn, etc.) to the
teacher immediately, no
matter how trivial it seems.
Do not panic.
• If you or your lab partner is
hurt, immediately (and
loudly) yell out the teacher's
name to get the teacher's
attention. Do not panic.
 Chemical Safety

• If a chemical should
splash in your eye(s) or
on your skin, immediately
flush with running water
for at least 20 minutes.

• Immediately (and loudly)

yell out the teacher's
name to get the teacher's
attention.
 Chemical Safety

• All chemicals in the laboratory are to

be considered dangerous. Avoid
handling chemicals with fingers.
Always use tweezers. When making
an observation, keep at least 1 foot
away from the specimen.

• Do not taste, or smell any chemicals.

If the instructions ask you if a
substance has an odor, hold the
container away from you and gently
fan the fumes using a wafting motion.

• Never put your nose into the

container!
 Chemical Safety

• Check the label on all chemical

bottles twice before removing
any of the contents. Take only
as much chemical as you
need.
• Never return unused chemicals
to their original container
• Never remove chemicals or
other materials from the
laboratory area.
 Glassware Safety

• Never handle broken glass

with your bare hands. Use
a brush and dustpan to
clean up broken glass.
• Place broken glass in the
designated glass disposal
container.
• Examine glassware before
each use. Never use
chipped, cracked, or dirty
glassware.
 Heat & Electrical Safety

• Do not immerse hot glassware in

cold water. The glassware may
shatter.

• Do not operate a hot plate by

yourself. Take care that hair,
clothing, and hands are a safe
distance from the hot plate at all
times.

• Use of hot plate is only allowed in

the presence of the teacher.
 Heat & Electrical Safety

• Heated glassware remain very hot

for a long time. They should be set
aside in a designated place to cool,
and picked up with caution. Use
tongs or heat protective gloves if
necessary.

• Do not place hot apparatus directly

on the laboratory desk. Always
use an insulated pad. Allow plenty
of time for hot apparatus to cool
before touching it.
 Animal Safety

• Occasionally you will encounter live

animals in the science lab or
outdoors while doing field work.

• Please be careful to keep from being

bitten. If an animal bites you while in
the lab or in the field, INFORM your
teacher immediately!

• Remember that to handle animals is a

privilege. Treat all live animals and
preserved specimens that you
encounter or handle with respect.
 Lab Safety Symbols
Found in your textbook

• Glassware • Electrical

• Heat • Animal

• Eye and Face • Chemical

• Sharps • Fire
 Other Chemical Hazards and
Symbols

• Flammable • Irritant

• Explosive • Corrosive

• Toxic/Poison • Environmenta
l
 Lab Safety Equipment

Safety Shower Eye Wash Safety Goggles

 Lab Safety Equipment

Fire
Extinguisher Fire Blanket Fume Hood