Common Laboratory Apparatus Uses

Laboratory equipment refers to the many devices of equipment used in a laboratory to carry out specific tasks. These tools are meant for use by scientists, students, professors, and medical professionals. Some scientific lab equipment is used for weighing materials, mixing and creating solutions, and cleaning containers. 

Any experiment must be performed with care to prevent injury. To ensure safety and properly carry out an experiment, it is essential to understand the names and purposes of lab equipment.

20 Common Laboratory Apparatus Names and Their Uses:

Common Laboratory Apparatus List

Microscope:

A microscope is a common laboratory instrument used to observe items that are too small to see with the human eye. A light microscope examines a small object by using lights and a set of magnifying lenses. An electron microscope uses electrons to magnify an image.

Test Tube: 

A test tube is a lab vessel often used to carry and mix liquid chemicals. A test tube is shaped like a finger and has one open end. There are many various sizes of test tubes, but the common size is 18 x 150 mm.

Watch Glass:

A watch glass is a common kind of chemical lab tool. It is a concave piece of glass that's often used to store solids, evaporate liquids, and heat tiny amounts of a substance.

Crucible: 

The crucible is a tiny container generally constructed of porcelain. Some laboratory glassware is unsuitable for heating because it may get damaged or break. A crucible is a tiny container generally constructed of porcelain. It also includes a cover that is designed to keep smoke particles inside.

Volumetric Flasks:

Volumetric flasks are another popular part of chemistry laboratory equipment. It is a form of glassware calibrated to retain certain amounts of liquid at specific temperatures. It is used in chemistry to make standard solutions and accurate dilutions. This flask comes in several sizes, and the capacity is generally specified. Depending on how many solutions you want to make, you may use a 50ml, 125ml, 250ml, 500ml, or 1000 ml volumetric flask.

Beakers: 

Similar to test tubes, beakers are used to heat, mix, and store different types of materials. Beakers are cylindrical containers without rounded bottoms and have a spout and a flat base. They are also available in several sizes.

Bunsen Burner: 

This device is used for sterilising and heating things. Natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas, such as methane, could be utilised.

Spatula: 

A laboratory spatula is similar to a kitchen spatula, except it is considerably smaller. Spatulas are tiny, hand-held instruments for scooping and transferring solids. They can also be used to apply paste-like treatments. Most spatulas are used with various chemicals, typically resistant to heat and acid.

Magnifying Glass: 

This specific piece of lab equipment creates a magnified image of an object. It is a convex lens covered with a handle-equipped frame.

Spring Balance: 

A spring balance is also known as a newton metre. The tension of a spring on the scale is used to calculate the object's weight. On one side, there is a spring, and on the other, there is a hook.

Dropper: 

A dropper is also known as a Pasteur pipette. It is a small glass or plastic pipe with a rubber tip on one end. Its purpose is to give little volumes of liquids one drop at a time.

Measuring Cylinder: 

This typical laboratory instrument is used to determine the volume of a liquid. It is calibrated, with each marker indicating the quantity of chemical used. This glassware is cylindrical and narrow, as the name indicates.

Thermometer: 

We all have used thermometers at home, so we are all familiar with them. Laboratory thermometers are almost identical in that they measure the temperature of substances (instead of body temperature) and have a high level of accuracy.

Burette: 

A basic piece of chemical laboratory equipment used to dispense volumes of material. It is often used in titrations. The stopcock is located at the bottom of the long-graded tube. The burettes are 50ml, 25ml, and 10ml.

Balance:

Because certain experiments demand correct quantities of ingredients, solids are often weighed before use. A balance is a device that is used to consider materials. The most popular balance types are analytical and top loading balances.

Funnels: 

Funnels are another essential kind of device. They are used to transfer chemicals into small-mouthed receptacles. Filter, thistle, and falling funnels are some of the various types, and each has a specific purpose. Büchner and Hirsch's funnels are excellent examples of organic chemistry laboratory gear.

Wash Bottle: 

A wash bottle is a squeeze container used to clean and rinse glassware. The majority of wash bottles are plastic. Depending on the task, you may fill it with ethanol or deionised water.

Tongs: 

You are often exposed to chemicals, heat, and other potentially harmful substances when working in a laboratory. Tongs are used to grab dangerous things and handle hot containers. Each sort of tong is intended for a particular purpose. Beaker, utility, and crucible tongs are common examples.

Ammeter: 

This is a piece of equipment that is present in every physics lab. An ammeter is a tool to gauge how much electricity moves across a circuit.

Brushes For Test Tubes: 

Without a cleaning tool, our laboratory equipment list would be incomplete. Test tubes, flasks, and beakers are cleaned using cleaning brushes. After usage, all equipment should be cleaned and safely stored.

Conclusion

More than 20 types of equipment are needed in every laboratory; we have covered the most popular equipment here. About safety, the first and most important rule in any laboratory is to be safe! You must dress appropriately to avoid injury from dangerous lab chemicals. Always wear an extra coat or apron, closed shoes, latex gloves, and eye protection goggles. The greatest thing you can do is ensure that you always follow all safety standards while performing any experiment.