COMMON LABORATORY TOOLS AND USES

Laboratory Tools Uses/ Functions

-used as a container in gas generation.
Erlenmeyer Flask - used as a container for liquid samples.
-used as a receiver in titration and distillation.
-used in measuring volumes of liquids.
-used as a container for boiling solutions.
Florence flask

-used in measuring the volume of liquids.

Graduated Cylinder

-used for culturing bacteria and observation of specimen.

Petri dish and Cover

-used to heat small amount of liquid/solid substances.

Test tube -a container for small amounts of liquid or solid.
-used for storing chemical substances.
Reagent Bottle

-used as a container when observing reaction of a substance that is

Watch Glass exposed to air.
-used as a cover for beaker.
-container for litmus paper not in use.
-used as a container when measuring approximate volumes of liquids.
Beaker -used in heating large amounts of liquids.
-used in transferring liquids.
Pipet/pipette -used in measuring the volume of liquids in small quantity.
-used in mixing substances and transferring liquids.
Stirring Rod -directs the flow of the liquid into a narrow mouth container.
-used for mixing, scooping, or spreading soft substances and liquids.
Spatula

-used for pouring liquids or powder through a small opening and to

Funnel hold the filter paper in filtration.
-used to measure body temperature.
Clinical Thermometer

-used to measure the temperature of substances and surrounding.

Laboratory Thermometer

-used to cover test tubes and flasks.

Rubber Stopper -used in glass connections.
-used to cover test tubes and flasks.
Cork

-provides heat in the laboratory.

Alcohol Lamp -used in heating.
-a source of heat.
-used in heating small amount of chemical substances which require
Crucible and Cover extremely high temperature.
-a porcelain container in which a solution may be evaporated to leave
Evaporation dissolved substance as a residue.
-a container for evaporation.
-used to hold crucible and cover during heating process.
Clay Triangle
 -placed over the iron ring to prevent direct heating.
Wire Gauze -used to regulate the heat of the flame when used in heating.
-used to hold hot objects especially crucible and cover.
Crucible Tongs

-used to hold iron ring, iron clamp, etc.

Iron Stand -used to support set-up for distillation, or oil extraction process.
-used as a support to the wire gauze during heating process.
Iron Ring

-used to hold apparatus in a set-up.

Iron Clamp -used to hold the distilling flask or test tube in distillation.
-used to support or hold the test tube during heating process.
Test tube holder

-used to clean glass apparatus/ devices especially test tubes.

Test Tube brush

-used as a stand/support for test tubes when not in use or while

Test Tube rack waiting for the reaction of reagents to take place.
-used for whirling fluids rapidly to separate substances of different
Centrifuge densities through artificial gravity and centrifugal force.
-used in measuring mass of substances and objects.
Triple beam balance

-used in pounding and grinding solid substances into powder.

Mortar and Pestle

-a stand with 3 legs used for supporting the wire gauze and container
Tripod with liquid to be heated.