1

Learning Objectives
Laboratory
Common laboratory apparatus and equipment
Recording of an experiment
Safety rules in chemistry laboratory
Chemistry is the branch of science which deals with the propertes
and reactons of substances. It helps us to understand the basic
principles that govern the interacton of diferent substances.
Chemistry involves a lot of experimentaton. An experiment can be defned as a test carried out
under controlled conditons to demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis or
determine the efcacy of something previously untried.
LABORATORY
Have you seen a laboratory in your school? It is a place
where experiments are carried out and analyses are
performed to reach a conclusion.
Most laboratories are well-organized and clean places
that have provisions to control conditons such as
temperature, pressure, humidity, etc. A good chemistry
laboratory is fully-equipped with the basic measuring
and analytcal laboratory apparatus that allow a good
study of all the branches of chemistry.
A chemistry laboratory should be equipped with the following facilites:
1. Working table: It is a place where a chemist works. It should consist of gas taps, sink, reagent
shelf, waste paper basket, a side shelf for keeping glassware apparatus, a fume closet and a
gas cylinder.
2. Reagent shelf: All the reagents and chemicals should be kept in a reagent shelf with proper
labels.
3. Exhaust fans: A laboratory should have exhaust fans on top of the walls with a vent to expel
poisonous gases and fumes.
1
Common Laboratory Apparatus
and Equipment
Thirst for Knowledge
A person who studies chemistry
is called a chemist.
Fig. 1.1: Chemistry laboratory
2
4. Balance room: There should be a balance room with a number of balances for weighing
chemicals. It should be free of dust and smoke for accurate measurements.
COMMON LABORATORY APPARATUS AND EQUIPMENT
Apparatus is a group of materials or devices required to carry out experiments. They are used to
measure, observe and compare things with greater accuracy. Common laboratory apparatus and
equipments are described below.
Test Tube
It is a cylindrical glass tube whose one end is open while the other closed end
is curved outwards. There are diferent types of test tubes made of diferent
types of glasses. Test tubes are available in diferent sizes. Test tubes are used for
heatng and boiling small quanttes of chemicals.
Thirst for Knowledge
Test tubes that are made from expansion-resistant glasses such as pyrex can be placed directly
over a Bunsen burners flame. They are also called hard glass tubes or boiling test tubes.
Test Tube Stand or Rack
A test tube stand or rack is made up of steel, plastc or wood. It is
used to keep test tubes. It has bars and holes to keep the test tubes in
inverted or upright positon respectvely.
Test Tube Holder
It is a metallic rod with plastc or wooden handle at one end and a
clamp at the other end. It is used to hold a test tube either while
heatng a substance or when strong chemicals like acids or alkalis are
poured into another apparatus.
Beaker
It is an open glass container, cylindrical in shape, with a fat botom and a lip for
pouring. Beakers are available in a wide range of sizes and are made of diferent
types of glasses. There are beakers with and without graduatons. Beakers are
used for strring, mixing and heatng solutons.
Round-bottom Flask
It is a glass container with spherical botom and a narrow cylindrical neck.
It is generally used for heatng solutons. The round botom of the fask
allows uniform heatng and/or boiling of solutons. Round-botom fasks
are available in many sizes.
Fig. 1.2: Test tubes
Fig. 1.3: Test tube stand or rack
Fig. 1.4: Test tube holder
Fig. 1.5: Beaker
Fig. 1.6: Round-bottom
fask
3
Flat-bottom Flask
It is a fask which is similar to round-botom fask but has a fat botom that
allows it to stand on a levelled surface. It is used for storing and mixing liquid
chemicals. It is not used for heatng purposes.
Conical Flask
A conical fask is also known as Erlenmeyer fask. It has a fat botom, conical
body and a cylindrical neck. It has markings on its outer surface to indicate
the approximate volume of contents. It is ofen used to heat solutons and for
ttraton experiments.
Glass Tubing/Tube
It is a hollow piece of glass and is open at both the ends. It can be bent by
heatng to red hot over a non-luminous Bunsen fame, to transfer gases from
one vessel to another.
Glass Rod
It is also known as strring rod. It is a solid glass tube. It is used to str
solutons in fasks and beakers.
Funnel
A funnel has a conical-shaped mouth and a long tapering neck. It is used to
pour liquids or channel fne grained substances into containers with a small
mouth. It is available in various sizes and is usually made of glass or plastc.
China Dish
It is also called an evaporatng dish. It is made of porcelain. It is used to
evaporate liquids by heatng.
Pipette
It is a long narrow tube with a nozzle at one end and a bulb in the middle. Nowadays,
pipete with a rubber vacuum bulb is also available. A pipete is used to transfer a
measured volume of liquid.
Note: You should never pipete any chemical using your mouth.
Fig. 1.7: Flat-bottom fask
Fig. 1.8: Conical fask
Fig. 1.9: Glass tubing/
tube
Fig. 1.10: Glass rod
Fig. 1.11: Funnel
Fig. 1.12: China dish
Fig. 1.13: Pipette
4
Burette
It is a long cylindrical graduated tube with stopcock near its botom end. It is used
for measuring and dispensing known amounts of liquids and is widely used in
ttraton experiments.
Measuring Cylinder
It is also called graduated cylinder. It is a cylindrical graduated glass or
plastc vessel with a fat botom and lip for pouring. A measuring cylinder
is used to measure a fxed volume of liquid.
Iron Stand
It has a long iron rod fxed on a fat base. Clamps can be atached on the iron
rod. It is used for holding apparatus such as round-botom fasks or test tubes
in a specifc positon.
Tripod Stand
It has three legs and a triangular base in the middle. It is made of iron.
A tripod stand is used for supportng apparatus while heatng.
Asbestos Wire Gauze
It is an iron wire mesh with thin asbestos in the middle. It is placed over the
tripod stand to provide a stage for a glass apparatus while heatng. It helps in
even distributon of heat from the burner to the glass apparatus.
Pestle and Mortar
A pestle is a heavy baseball bat-shaped stck whose end is used for
pounding and grinding. A mortar is a bowl in which the substance to
be grind, crush or mix is kept. Pestle and mortar are made of porcelain,
stoneware, marble and wood. They are used to crush, grind and mix
solid substances.
Fig. 1.14: Burette
Fig. 1.15: Measuring cylinder
Fig. 1.16 Iron stand
Fig. 1.17: Tripod stand
Fig. 1.18: Asbestos
wire gauze
Fig. 1.19: Pestle and mortar
5
Spirit Lamp
It is a device used for heatng purposes. It burns alcohol or other liquid
fuel. It has three partstank, neck and cap. The fuel is flled in the tank.
A coton wick that is immersed in the fuel passes through the neck. The
coton wick soaks up the fuel and burns when lighted. The fame of the
spirit lamp is extnguished by carefully covering it with the cap (cover).
Note: A spirit lamp should never be extnguished by blowing air from the mouth.
Bunsen Burner
These days spirit lamps are replaced by another heatng device called
Bunsen burner. It consists of a mixing tube in which gas and air are
mixed. The gas comes from the nozzle and air comes from the air holes.
When ignited, it burns with a blue fame on top of the burner. The fame
can be adjusted by opening or closing the adjustable air holes.
Spatula
It is like a spoon. It is used to take small quanttes of solid
chemicals.
Dropper
It is a long tube made up of glass or plastc with a vacuum bulb at one
end. A dropper is used for drawing a liquid and releasing a very small
quantty of it at a tme.
Watch Glass
It is a circular, slightly concave piece of glass. It is used to evaporate a liquid, to
hold solids while being weighed or as a cover for a beaker.
Analytical Balance
It is also called a balance scale or a laboratory balance. It consists of
a horizontal metallic beam with a support and a pointer at its centre.
The beam can move freely about the support. From the ends of the
beam, two identcal pans are suspended such that they are equidistant
from the centre of the beam. This entre arrangement is kept inside a
transparent enclosure with doors. This is done so that dust does not
collect and any air current in the room does not afect the balances
operaton. An analytcal balance is used to measure mass to a very high
degree of precision and accuracy.
Fig. 1.20: Spirit lamp
Fig. 1.21: Bunsen burner
Fig. 1.22: Spatula
Fig. 1.23: Dropper
Fig. 1.24: Watch glass
Fig. 1.25: Analytical balance
6
Reagent Bottle
It is a container used to hold liquid chemicals. It is usually made up
of glass and has a lid which should be replaced immediately afer
withdrawing chemical from the botle.
Gas Jar
It is a glass container with a broad base and broad opening. It is used for
collectng gas during experiments.
Besides these equipment, there are others like test tube brush, beehive shelf, cork borer, etc. that
are used in a chemistry laboratory.
RECORDING AN EXPERIMENT
There is a systematc way of recording an experiment. The experiment is recorded in the notebook
in the following manner:
1. Experiment number
2. Aim of the experiment
3. Apparatus or material required
4. Procedure
5. Observaton
6. Conclusion or result
7. Precautons
Take a Break!
1. __________ and __________ are used to crush, grind and mix solid substances.
2. A fat-botom fask is used for heatng liquids. (True/False)
3. __________ is used for collectng gas during experiments.
4. A (spatula/dropper) is used to take small quanttes of solid chemicals.
5. A glass rod is also known as __________ tube.
Fig. 1.26: Reagent bottle
Fig. 1.28: Test tube brush Fig. 1.29: Beehive shelf Fig. 1.30: Cork borer
Fig. 1.27: Gas jar
7
SAFETY RULES IN CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
We know that the study of chemistry involves a lot of experi mentaton. But it is very important to
conduct each experiment safely. A few safety signs and symbols which you can see in a chemistry
laboratory are shown in Fig. 1.31.
Given below is a list of safety rules which should be followed in a chemistry laboratory:
Before entering the laboratory, wear an apron. Do not wear loose clothes, sandals or contact
lens. Tie long hair back and wear safety glasses.
Carefully follow all the writen and verbal instructons.
Never work alone in the laboratory. Always work under adult supervision.
Do not touch any equipment, any unknown chemical or any material untl instructed. Do not
taste or smell any chemical unless specially instructed to do so.
Arrange the apparatus to be used in the experiment before beginning the experiment.
Do not eat or drink in the laboratory. Do not use laboratory glassware for eatng or drinking
purposes.
Always work in a well-ventlated area and switch-on the exhaust fans.
While working with volatle substances or poisonous vapours, work in fume hood. Always
remember to keep your head out of the fume hood.
Ask your instructor before disposing of any chemical. Do not throw solid waste in the sink.
Do not haphazardly mix chemicals. Chemicals should be handled carefully.
Handle all glassware carefully to avoid breakage.
Keep your hands away from your body while working with chemicals.
While heatng, make sure that your hair, clothing and hands are at a safe distance from the
fame at all the tmes.
Check the labels on chemical botles before using them.
Wash your hands properly with soap and water afer completng experiments.
Fig. 1.31: Safety signs and symbols
fammable toxic irritating oxidizing
radiating corrosive explosive high voltage
8
Keep your work area clean and tdy. Afer completng the experiment, do not leave anything
on your working table.
In case of any accidents or injuries, immediately report to your instructor and lab assistants.
VOCABULARY
Chemistry: The branch of science which deals with the propertes and reactons of substances
Experiment: A test carried out under controlled conditons to demonstrate a known truth,
examine the validity of a hypothesis or determine the efcacy of something previously untried
Laboratory: A place where experiments are carried out and analyses are performed to reach a
conclusion
Apparatus: A group of materials or devices required to carry out experiments
SUMMARY
Chemistry helps to understand the basic principles that govern the interacton of diferent
substances.
Chemistry involves a lot of experimentaton.
A good chemistry laboratory is fully-equipped with basic measuring and analytcal laboratory
apparatus that allow a good study of all the branches of chemistry.
A chemistry laboratory should be equipped with working table, reagent shelf, exhaust fans and
balance room.
Common laboratory apparatus and equipments are test tube, test tube stand, test tube holder,
beaker, round-botom fask, fat-botom fask, conical fask, glass tubing, glass rod, funnel,
china dish, pipete, burete, measuring cylinder, iron stand, tripod stand, asbestos wire gauze,
pestle and mortar, spirit lamp, Bunsen burner, spatula, dropper, watch glass, analytcal balance,
reagent botle, test tube brush, beehive shelves, cork borer, gas jar, etc.
It is very important to conduct each experiment safely. While in the laboratory, one must follow
all safety rules.
EXERCISES
A. Answer the following questions.
1. What is an experiment?
2. What is a laboratory? Give characteristcs of a good chemistry laboratory.
9
3. What is apparatus?
4. How is a round-botom fask diferent from a fat-botom fask?
5. What is the diference between glass tube and glass rod?
6. How is a pipete diferent from a burete?
7. What is Bunsen burner? What is it used for?
8. Why is an analytcal balance kept inside a transparent enclosure with doors?
9. How is an experiment recorded?
10. List a few safety rules that you should follow while working in a chemistry laboratory.
B. Describe the uses of each of the following apparatus.
1. Test tube
2. Test tube stand
3. Test tube holder
4. Beaker
5. Conical fask
6. Funnel
7. China dish
8. Measuring cylinder
9. Iron stand
10. Asbestos wire gauze
C. Fill in the blanks.
1. ____________ are used for strring, mixing and heatng liquids.
2. ____________ fasks allow more uniform heatng and/or boiling of liquids.
3. An apparatus with a long narrow tube having a nozzle at one end and a bulb in the middle is
called ____________.
4. ____________ is also known as Erlenmeyer fask.
5. Solids are kept in ____________ while being weighed.
D. Match the following.
Column A Column B Column C
1. Reagent botle (i) Broad base and broad (a) To collect gas during
opening experiments
2. Gas jar (ii) Iron wire mesh (b) To hold apparatus in specifc
positon
3. Iron stand (iii) Long glass or plastc tube (c) To provide a stage for glass
apparatus while heatng
4. Asbestos wire gauze (iv) Made of glass (d) For drawing liquid and
releasing a very small quantty
at a tme
5. Dropper (v) Iron rod fxed on a fat base (e) To hold liquid chemicals
10
E. State whether the following statements are True or False. Correct the false statements.
1. A china dish is used to evaporate liquids by heatng.
2. A burete is also called a graduated cylinder.
3. A tripod stand is used for supportng apparatus while heatng.
4. A dropper is used to take small quanttes of solid chemicals.
F. Choose the correct answer for each of the following.
1. Which of the following apparatus are made of glass?
(a) Wire gauze and test tube
(b) Test tube holder and beaker
(c) Beaker and test tube
(d) Round-botom fask and test tube stand
2. Funnel is used for __________ chemicals.
(a) heatng
(b) storing
(c) strring liquid
(d) pouring liquid
3. Given below are some apparatus and their use. Which of these is incorrect?
Apparatus Use
(a) China dish Evaporatng chemical soluton by heatng
(b) Round-botom fask Storing chemicals
(c) Pestle and mortar To grind, crush and mix solid chemicals
(d) Glass rod Strring liquid chemicals
4. Which of these is used to evaporate a liquid, to hold solids while being weighed or as a cover
for a beaker?
(a) Spatula
(b) Pestle and mortar
(c) Watch glass
(d) China dish
5. Which of the following apparatus is used for supportng glassware during heatng?
(a) Test tube holder
(b) Wire gauze
(c) Beehive shelf
(d) Iron stand
6. Which of the following apparatus is used for heatng liquids and ttraton experiments?
(a) Conical fask
(b) Pipete
(c) Measuring cylinder
(d) Burete
11
G. Fun Activity
Complete the crossword puzzle with the help of the following clues.
Across:
4. A long narrow tube with a nozzle at one end and a bulb in the middle
5. An open glass container used for strring, mixing and heatng solutons
7. A spoon-like used to take small quanttes of solid chemicals
8. A group of materials or devices required to carry out experiments
Down:
1. A place where experiments are carried out
2. A device used for supportng apparatus while heatng
3. A container used to hold liquid chemicals
6. This heatng device is replacing spirit lamps these days
8
7
6
5
3
2
4
1