FAMILIARIZATION WITH LABORATORY APPARATUS,

TECHNIQUES AND OPERATIONS

In a chemistry laboratory, different apparatus is used. It is in this context that students are
expected to be acquainted with them before using these apparatuses. At the same time, safe and
correct handling of chemicals and apparatus also should be given emphasis when doing laboratory
work. That is, the experiment can only be successful if the one doing it has the laboratory know-
how. In addition, proper laboratory techniques and skills in doing laboratory operations must also
be acquired to confidently perform different activities in the laboratory.

HANDLING OF CHEMICALS AND APPARATUS

Chemicals are usually stored in reagent bottles. There are different types of reagent bottles.
The type of reagent bottle being used depends on the kind of chemical reagent being stored. Corks,
flat-top glass or rubber stoppers, and ground/winged glass stoppers are some examples of reagent
bottle covers. To avoid contamination, the reagent bottle covers are usually placed on the table in
an upside-down or inverted position while the winged glass stopper is placed between the middle
of ring fingers when transferring chemicals.

Solid chemicals are spooned out from a reagent bottle using a clean and dry spatula. To
transfer solid into a test tube, use a paper strip. To transfer into wide-mouth containers, tilt the
reagent bottle and carefully rotate it back and forth to allow the chemicals to drop to the container.
Be sure to close the reagent bottle tightly with the correct lid or stopper.

LABORATORY OPERATIONS
Precipitation is a method of mixing of two liquid substances to form an insoluble solid
known as precipitate. This method results in the formation of solid particles suspended in the
liquid. When the solid is heavy and has the tendency to settle, the separation maybe accomplished
more readily by decantation. In decantation, the supernatant liquid is carefully poured off without
disturbing the solid particles after the latter has been allowed to settle down. Solid particles that
do not readily settle out are separated from the liquid by filtration. In filtration, a filter paper is
used that permits the filtrate (liquid portion) to pass through but retains the solid (insoluble salts).
The filter paper used in the filtration process is folded into half and then in quarter and opened into
a cone at the middle as shown in Figure below. It is then fitted into the filter funnel.
B. Laboratory Techniques

1. Handling Solid Chemicals

CAUTION: Do not touch chemicals with your bare hands. Some chemicals/reagents may get
through the skin and into the bloodstream and can cause serious health problems. Others are
extremely corrosive.

1. With the use of a clean and dry spatula, obtain half-spoon of solid chemicals from the
reagent bottle and place it on a piece of clean paper.

2. Roll the paper into cylinder and insert it into a tilted test tube as shown in figure below.
Lift the tube to a vertical position and tap the paper gently. Observe whether the solid
reagent slides down into the test tube.

C. Introduction of common laboratory apparatus and their importance.