In the Chemistry laboratory, different apparatus are used for specific purposes. It is important to know their names and functions. In this post, we will learn about the common laboratory apparatus and their uses.
Apparatus for Measuring Volumes of Liquids
Measuring Cylinder (Graduated Cylinder)
Measuring cylinder is also known as graduated cylinder. It measures volumes of liquids to nearest 0.5 cm3. (30.0 cm3, 24.5 cm3).
Burette
Used to accurately measure volumes of liquids to nearest 0.05 cm3. (29.50 cm3, 38.45 cm3).
Pipette
Pipette accurately measures fixed volumes of liquids to nearest 0.05 cm3. (20.0 cm3 and 25.0 cm3).
Apparatus for Measuring Volume of Gases
Gas Syringe
Used to measure the volume of gases produced or used in a reaction.
Apparatus for Holding Liquids
Conical flask
Used to hold samples (usually liquids). The unique shape of conical
flask allows easy swirling of liquid samples without spillage. Rubber bung
(with delivery tube) can also be inserted at the mouth of the conical flask,
allowing gas to pass through the delivery tube and collected.
Beaker
Used to hold and mix liquids. Less accurate for measuring volumes.
Flat Bottom Flask (Volumetric Flask)
Used to prepare solutions of accurate volumes.
Apparatus for Heating and Holding Small Samples
Test tube and Boiling tube
Test tube and boiling tube used in laboratory are made of glass (mostly borosilicate glass), not plastics. Hence, they have high heat resistance to heat and corrosive chemicals.
To reduce mass loss during transfer of samples, their bottoms are designed to be spherical with vertical sides.
Boiling tube is wider than test tube. It is intended primarily for boiling liquids. We
usually heat samples in the boiling tube as the glass is thicker and of higher
heat resistance. Heating samples in test tube is also possible but the heat
resistance may not be as strong as boiling tube. Test tubes are typically used
to hold small amount of samples, usually liquid.
Other Common Apparatus
Filter funnel
We use filter funnel to allow easy transfer of substance (usually liquid) into an apparatus with narrower neck.
Bunsen burner
Bunsen burner is used to provide open gas flame for heating. It is connected to the gas source. Rotating the collar at the bottom of the tube controls airflow. If the holes are fully opened, flame will burn hot with blue flame. The hottest part of the blue flame is the tip of the inner flame. If the holes are fully closed, flame will be cooler, and appear orangey yellow, which the safety flame. We avoid heating using the yellow flame as it leaves a black layer (soot) on the bottom of the heated apparatus.
We will place the tripod stand above a Bunsen burner. Wire gauze is placed on the tripod stand to support the apparatus that contains the samples to be heated.
Separating funnel
Got a mixture of oil and water? We can separate the different liquid layers using a separating funnel.
Separating funnel is used to separate immiscible liquids of different densities. Liquid of a lower density will float to the top. Denser liquid will be collected first. Tap is closed before the top part of the denser liquid flows out completely. Sample of the denser liquid is collected in the beaker.
We will then open the tap and allow liquid to flow into another beaker. Then, close the tap when a little of the less dense liquid flows into the beaker. We will have a mixture of the immiscible liquids in this beaker which should be disposed. Pure sample of the less dense liquid is left in the separating funnel and can be tapped off into another clean beaker.
Watch this video to learn more about separating funnel.
Science with Tara 