When you step into a laboratory, you'll likely be confronted with the same essential tools used for experiments and testing. Below is an overview of the commonly used apparatus. In this Blog, we are going to see the 5 most common apparatus along with an explanation of their purpose and usage.

  • Safety goggles and safety equipment
  • Beakers
  • Erlenmeyer flasks or conical flasks
  • Florence flasks, or boiling flasks
  • Test tubes, tongs, and racks
  • Watch glasses.
  • Crucibles
  • Funnels
  • Graduated cylinders.
  • Volumetric flasks
  • Droppers
  • Pipettes
  • Burets
  • Ring stands, rings, and clamps.
  • Tongs and forceps
  • Spatulas and scoopulas
  • Thermometers
  • Bunsen Burners
  • Balances

Beakers

In the average lab, beakers are essential pieces of equipment. Used for mixing, stirring, and heating chemicals, these containers play an indispensable part in experiments.

Beakers are often used to store and hold liquids, and many of them have a lip around the edge as well as markings indicating the amount it can contain. Although these markings are useful in providing an approximate measurement, they are not entirely reliable for exact measurements.

Beakers are available in many volumes from 25 ml to 10000 ml. 

Conical Flask

The Erlenmeyer flask or conical flask is a laboratory apparatus that has been around since 1861, when it was invented by its namesake. This unique vessel features a distinctive conical shape, with a narrow neck that gradually widens towards the base.

However, this design serves more than just an aesthetic purpose. Flasks have a distinctive shape, designed to make the most of their use. With a narrow opening, they are perfect for swirling and mixing liquid contents with minimal risk of spillage - ideal for those clumsy moments!

It can easily be clamped to a ring stand (discussed below) as well as heated or shaken mechanically.

Measuring Cylinder

Liquid volume can be accurately measured with the help of a graduated cylinder. Along the length of the container, markings are spaced to indicate specific graduations, allowing for precise readings. It is important to fill fluids into the graduated cylinder correctly in order to get an accurate reading.

Upon turning your gaze to the graduated cylinder, you may first be struck by how the liquid inside appears to be curved. Indeed, upon closer inspection, it is easy to observe that the surface of the liquid has an indentation in its shape known as the meniscus; you must ensure that it is lined up with the nearest marking and that the cylinder maintains a level position.

Volumetric Flask

Volumetric flasks are essential lab equipment often used in science experiments and to measure precise volumes of liquid. Typically, they are shaped with round bodies and long necks, as well as flat bottoms, which add stability.

Have you ever noticed a small line on the neck of a bottle? This handy little indicator is used to determine how full the bottle should be filled - typically, the bottom of the meniscus should be aligned with the line. But such precision requires more than just good eyesight!

It is essential to be aware of the connection between temperature and volume when working with liquids. Changes in temperature can have a substantial impact on the amount of liquid present, so it is important to use substances which are not prone to fluctuations in temperature.

Test Tubes

Test tubes have been an essential tool for scientists since the late 1800s. These glass tubes feature one open end and another that is closed off, usually in the form of an arc. Test tubes are perfect for storing small samples due to their size and shape.

They are primarily used for qualitative assessment and comparison of any elements. It is commonly used in chemistry or in the biochemistry lab. 

Test tubes provide a valuable service in the scientific community, particularly in cases where multiple samples must be examined and evaluated, and they are also easily capped with a rubber or glass stopper.

Note: Do not heat the capped test tubes.