The document lists and describes common laboratory apparatus used in chemistry experiments, including beakers, conical flasks, measuring cylinders, mortar and pestles, test tubes, test tube holders, racks, 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, litmus paper, and universal indicator. Each apparatus has a specific use, such as holding liquids, measuring volumes, grinding substances, heating materials, or testing pH.

1. D R . P . R . C H A V A N
P H A R M D
Common Laboratory 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. Mortar and pestle
 Mortar and pestle is a set of two simple tools used
from the Stone Age to the present day to prepare
ingredients or substances by crushing and grinding
them

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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

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

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

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

13. 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”

14. Spatulas
 Spatulas are used to dispense solid chemicals from
their containers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

28. Universal indicator
 A universal indicator is a pH indicator made of
a solution of several compounds that exhibits several
smooth colour changes over a wide range pH values
to indicate the acidity or alkalinity of solutions.