Scientific Tools and Equipment

Beaker A beaker is a type of glassware. It can be used to store liquids, heat liquids, and measure the volumes of liquids. Beakers have broad, flat bases. Beakers usually measure liquid volumes in millimeters (mL).

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.

Triple Beam Balance A triple beam balance is used to measure the Mass of solid objects. It has three beams that each measure mass to a different unit Place (ones, tens, hundreds). Units of mass Include milligrams, grams, and kilograms.

Safety Goggles Safety goggles are used to protect the eyes from flying objects or chemical splashes.

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. Usually the most accurate when measuring a liquid.

Test Tubes 13 x 100 mm test tubes 10 x 75 mm test tubes Ignitiontube A test tube is a long, narrow type of glassware in Which liquids can be stored and heated. Test tubes Have round bases and are stored in test tube racks or mounted on test tube stands.

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. Plastic racks may melt in contact with very hot test tubes.

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.

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.

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”

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.

Lab Coat Protects the scientist and their clothes from hazardous materials.

Lab Stand A lab stand is used to hold a variety of lab equipment.

Ring Clamp A ring clamp attaches to a lab stand and used to hold a variety of lab equipment.

Beaker Tongs Beaker tongs are used to move beakers containing hot liquids

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!

Thermometer A thermometer is used to measure temperature either Celsius or Fahrenheit. A thermometer is read by looking at the number that is displayed at the top of the red line inside of the thermometer.

Spring Scale A spring scale is used to measure the weight of an object, which is the force of gravity acting on it. A spring scale is used by attaching a hook at the end of the scale, then the weight is displayed on the tube of the scale in (N) or pounds (lb). Spring scales can also be used to measure the force needed to move an object.

Microscope A microscope is used to view objects that are too small to be seen the the naked eye, such as cells.

Ruler, Meter Stick, and Tape Measure Rulers, meter sticks, and tape measures are used to measure length. These tools usually have two edges-one that measures in metric units (millimeters, centimeters, and meters), and one that measures in U.S. system units (inches and feet).

Telescope A telescope is used to view objects that are very far way, such as planets and moons.

Measuring Cup A measuring cup is used to measure the volume, or amount, of a liquid.

Hand Lens A hand lens is used to look at objects up close. It makes objects appear larger.

Binoculars Binoculars are used for seeing objects that are distant, but not as far away as space.

Stopwatch A stopwatch is used to measure time in seconds and minutes.

Compass A compass is a tool that detects magnetic fields. When no local fields are present, a compass will detect Earth’s magnetic field. The arrow of a compass generally points north, so a person using a compass can tell which direction (north, south, east, or west) he or she is facing.