This document describes common laboratory equipment used in chemistry experiments. It provides brief descriptions of the purpose and use of various pieces of apparatus including beakers, conical flasks, measuring cylinders, test tubes, test tube racks, rubber bungs, watch glasses, stirring rods, funnels, pipettes, spatulas, forceps, scalpels, burettes, Bunsen burners, tripods, gauze, heatproof mats, clay triangles, evaporating dishes, crucibles, crucible tongs, clamp stands, and litmus and universal indicator paper.

1. Lab apparatus

2. Beaker
Beakers hold solids or
liquids that will not
release gases when
reacted or are unlikely
to splatter if stirred or
heated.

3. Conical flask
Conical (or Erlenmeyer)
flasks hold solids or
liquids that may release
gases during a reaction
or that are likely to
splatter if stirred or
heated.

4. Measuring cylinder
A graduated
measuring cylinder
is used to measure
volumes of liquids.

5. Test tubes
13 x 100 mm test tubes
10 x 75 mm test tubes
Boiling
tube

6. Test tube holder
A test tube holder is
useful for holding a
test tube which is
too hot to handle.

7. 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.

8. Rubber bungs
Rubber bungs or stoppers
are used to close
containers to avoid spillage
or contamination.
Containers should never be
heated when there is a
stopper in place.

9. Watch Glass
A watch glass is used to
hold a small amount of
solid, such as the
product of a reaction.

10. Stirring Rod
A glass rod is used to
manually stir solutions.
It can also be used to
transfer a single drop of
a solution.

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

12. Pipette
A pipette or medicine
dropper is used to
transfer a small
volume of liquid (less
than one mL).
On top of each dropper is a “rubber bulb”

13. Spatulas
Spatulas are used
to dispense solid
chemicals from
their containers.

14. Forceps
Forceps (or tweezers) are used to pick up small
objects.

15. Scalpel
A scalpel is an extremely sharp bladed
instrument used for surgery and dissections.

16. Burette
A burette is used
to deliver exact
volumes of liquids,
often during
titrations.

17. Bunsen burner
Bunsen burners are used
for the heating of
nonvolatile liquids and
solids.

18. Tripod
A tripod is used to
support glassware, such as
beakers and flasks,
especially when heating
substances.

19. Gauze
A wire gauze sits on a
tripod to provide a
place to stand a
beaker.

20. Heatproof mat
A heat proof mat
is used to prevent
damage to a work
surface from a
hot object.

21. Clay Triangle
The clay triangle is used
as a support for
porcelein crucibles when
being heated over a
Bunsen burner.

22. Evaporating Dish
The evaporating dish is
used for the heating of
stable solid compounds
and elements.

23. Crucible
Crucibles are used for
heating certain solids,
particularly metals, to
very high temperatures.

24. Crucible Tongs
For handling hot crucibles;
also used to pick up other
hot objects. NOT to be
used for picking up
beakers!

25. Clamp stand
A clamp stand (or
retort stand) is
used to hold test
tubes and other
equipment in place.
Also known as a
ringstand.

26. Clamp stand
Boss
Clamp
Clamp stand

27. Litmus Paper
Red litmus paper is
used to identify
bases.
Blue litmus paper is
used to identify
acids.

28. Universal indicator paper
Used to identify the
pH of substances.