50 Common Pieces of Apparatus and Uses in Chemistry
There are certain pieces of apparatus in used in chemistry laboratory that we need to always remember their structure and uses.
This is very important because it will enable us to properly function well in the laboratory.
So i have laid down the tabular form of the uses of pieces of apparatus and their descriptions.
Piece of apparatus | Description and Uses | |
1 | Beakers | Description: This is an apparatus with a lip but with a flat bottom Uses: Used for measuring, mixing, and pouring liquids. |
2 | Pipette | Description: A narrow slender tube apparatus Uses: Used for transferring small quantities of liquid. |
3 | Graduated cylinder | Description: A tall narrow container form measuring liquids Uses: Used to measure volume of liquids |
4 | Crucible | Description: A ceramic or metal container in which substance can be put in while heating Uses: Used to heat solids at high temperatures. |
5 | Mortar and pestle | Description: Mortar bis a bowl-shaped apparatus while pestle is a stick with a smooth rounded bottom Uses: Used to grind and mix solids |
6 | Test tube | Description: A glass tube container used in analysis Uses :Used for holding and mixing small quantities of liquids |
7 | Mass spectrometer: | Description: An analytical appratus or instrument used in mass of a substance Uses :Used to determine the molecular weight of a compound. |
8 | Gas syringe | Description: A glassware apparatus with a piston for measuring volume of gases Uses :Used for collecting the volume of gases evolved during chemical reactions |
9 | Volumetric flasks | Description: A flask made of plastic or glassware and used to make standard solutions Uses: This is used for preparing solutions of known concentrations |
10 | Separatory funnel | Description: A funnel with a stop cock used for separating miscible liquids Uses : Used for separating immiscible liquids |
11 | Retort stand | Description: A long metal pole with a firm base usually for support Uses: Used for holding apparatus during experiments. |
12 | Glass rod | Description: A straw like apparatus Uses: Used for stirring or transferring substances. |
13 | Evaporating dish | Description: A bowl like shaped glass apparatus usually for heating Uses: Used for evaporating liquids to obtain solids |
14 | Filter paper | Description : A semi permeable paper membrane used for filtration Uses: Used for separating solids from liquids or gases. |
15 | PH meter | Description: pH meter is an electric device for determining acidity Uses: used for measuring the acidity or basicity of a solution. |
16 | Gas chromatography apparatus: | Description: An analytical, instrument used analytical chemistry Uses: Used for separating and analyzing the components of a mixture. |
17 | Desiccators | Description: An airtight glass container usually containing a Dessicant Uses: Used to dry substances in the laboratory |
18 | Filter funnel | Description: A laboratory funnel mainly employed in filtration Uses Used to filter alongside filter paper in the laboratory |
19 | NMR spectrometer | Description : An apparatus based on nuclear magnetic resonance Uses: Used for determining the structure and composition of molecules. |
20 | Petri dish | Description : A flat shallow dish made of glass or plastic Uses: Used for growing microorganisms or cell cultures. |
21 | Autoclave | Description: A machine that works on the principle of pressure Uses: Used for sterilizing equipment and materials. |
22 | Reflux condenser: | Description: A laboratory glassware used for cooling Uses: Used to cool and condense vapour to liquid |
23 | Thermometer | Description: Made of glass tube with a bulb Uses; Used for measuring temperature |
24 | Stirring rod | Description; A straw like apparatus made of glass Uses: Used for stirring liquids or suspensions |
25 | Distillation flask | Description: Flasks like round bottom flask but a part of the whole set up for distillation Uses: Used to separate components of a mixture based on boiling point. |
26 | Weighing balance | Description: A scale with multiple weighing capacities Uses: Used for measuring the mass of substances |
27 | Water bath | Description: An apparatus set up made of beaker and water for constant supply of heat Uses: Used for heating or cooling samples in a water bath |
28 | Chromatography column | Description: A device used in chromatography for separation Uses: Used for separating and purifying components of a mixture |
29 | Fume hood:/Cupboard | Description: A ventilated enclosure in the laboratory mainly built to trap poisonous gases Uses :Used for containing and venting hazardous fumes and vapors. |
30 | Dropping funnel | Description: Apparatus made of glass fitted with a stopcock which allow flow of liquid to be controlled Uses: Used for adding a liquid to a reaction flask slowly and with control |
31 | Gas burette | Description: A long glass tube with a valve at one end to control the flow of the liquid Uses :Used for measuring the volume of gases. |
32 | Conical Flasks | Description: A cone shaped flask with a flat round bottom but with a cylindrical neck Uses: used mainly for containing and holding liquids during titration |
33 | Dropper | Description: A short glass tube with a rubber end and a tiny hole at the other end Uses: Used for introducing indicators during titrations |
34 | White tile | Description: A white square marble made of mica or limestone Uses: Kept under the conical flask for clear colour change in titrations |
35 | Tripod stand | Description: A three-legged iron made stand for siupport Uses: Used typically for support (most flasks are kept on tripod stand while heating) |
36 | Wire gauze | Description: A sheet of thin metal apparatus with net like patterns with a wire mesh at the centre Uses: Kept on the top of the tripod stand to prevent direct heating to prevent flasks from cracking |
37 | Wash bottle | Description: A flexible plastic made bottle with a bent tube and cap Uses : Used to hold distilled water mainly for practical |
38 | Watch glass | Description: A round concave glass made apparatus used in the laboratory Uses: Used mainly for evaporation of liquid in Chemistry laboratory |
39 | Delivery tube | Description: A thin glass to other vessel tube used to transport gas from one vessel Uses: for transport of gas from one vessel to another |
40 | Tongs | Description: An apparatus with two movable arms joined at one end Uses: used in different applications including griping small objects, holding hot crucibles, beakers etc |
41 | Spatula | Description: A spoon like apparatus with flat mouth made of metal Uses: used in transferring small amount of samples of salts |
42 | Safety goggles | Description: A protective apparatus made of plastics and polymers Uses: typically used to protect the eye during practicals |
43 | Microscope | Description: An apparatus with a magnifying lens Uses: Used to observe features of tiny or microscopic objects |
44 | Drying oven | Description: An apparatus with a fan or turbine which helps in the drying process Uses: Used for many purposes including drying, temperature testing experiments etc |
45 | Vacuum Pump | Description: An apparatus commonly made of plastics that can be mechanically operated Uses: Used for dewatering saturated materials and removing liquids from slurries |
46 | Rotatory Evaporator | Description: An apparatus made of glassware and polymers with round bottom flasks fixed at both ends Uses: This is used for evaporating solvents with high boiling points. |
47 | Kipps Apparatus | Description: An apparatus made of glass or polymer with three vertically stacked members Uses: Used to prepare gases intermittently |
48 | Test tube holder/rack | Description: A test tube holder or rack is a plastic apparatus that test tubes can be placed conveniently in. Uses: to hold test tubes during chemical reactions involving heating |
49 | Round bottom flasks | Description: glass made apparatus with spherical bottom that can only be clipped to stand Uses :Used to hold reaction mixtures during resections and equally for heating or boiling liquids during distillation |
50 | Flat bottom flask | Description: glass made apparatus with flat bottom that can stand on its own Uses : Used to hold reaction mixtures during resections and equally for heating or boiling liquids during distillation |
So, there are common uses of pieces of apparatus that every candidate needs to take note of and be able to state the uses of these pieces of apparatus used in Chemistry laboratory.