Mixed Lab equipment. The source for the following materials was: rk/eval.html rk/eval.html.

Mixed Lab equipment

The source for the following materials was:

http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/york/eval.html

Balances

Function:

The function of a balance is to mass objects. [NOTE: If the device is measuring an object using springs against gravity, the devise is correctly referred to as a scale and it's measurements are described as weight not mass.] A balance uses a comparison of a known substance or calibration with the unknown object to determine the unknown object's mass.

Beakers

Function:

The primary function of a beaker is to hold and work with liquids. If graduated, it can serve to make approximate measurements of liquid volume. The beaker is made of specialized glass so it can be heated and cooled without breaking. This type of glass makes the beaker brittle and it must be handled carefully.

Bunsen Burner

Function:

The function of a bunsen burner is to heat substances. The

burner can be regulated by changing the air and gas mixture.

Fume Hood

Function:

Fume hoods protect laboratory workers from fumes and potentially dangerous chemical reactions by continuously vaccuming air out of the lab and by providing a glass shield. Experiments can be clearly seen by the user, yet the user is protected from splatter and harmful fumes.

Chemical Safety posters/MSDS sheets

Function:

Hazardous Material Safety Reference Sheets and Material Safety Data Sheets are produced to remind laboratory users of the potential hazards of the materials at hand.

Dialysis Tubing

Function:

Dialysis tubing is actually a semi-permeable membrane when used in water. Experiments illustrating osmosis and pressure gradients across a membrane use dialysis tubing. This tubing usually comes in rolls and when wet, will open up into a cylindrical tube that can be tied off at the ends. The tubing can also be fitted over a thistle tube for such experiments.

Stereoscopes

Function:

The function of a dissection microscope or stereomicroscope is to view objects too large for the standard microscope. This instrument is often used for viewing dissections and allows for good depth perception because a user can utilize both eyes.

Safety Eyewear

Function:

Eye protection is a priority in any science laboratory setting.

Eyewash Station

Function:

Lab Safety requires an eyewash station. The area around this station must be free of equipment for easy access.

Filter Paper

Function:

Filter paper is used to rid a liquid of solid particles. Filter paper comes in different sizes and can be purchased as to what size particles (in microns) the paper can remove.

Fingerbowl

Function:

A finger bowl is a container that gives a good view of an object. Finger bowls are able to fit under a dissection or stereoscope for closer examinations. Finger bowls are often used for containing small living organisms for examination as well.

Fire Extinguisher

Function:

Fire extinguishers are required safety equipment in all laboratory settings. Students must not operate these devices unless the student has been instructed in its operation and the student has permission from a teacher.

Flasks

Function:

The function of a flask is to hold and store liquids. If graduated, it can serve to make approximate measurements of volume. One of the main advantages of a flask is the fact that the mixing of its contents can be done with little or no spillage. The flask is made of specialized glass so it can be heated and cooled without breaking. This same type of glass makes the flask brittle and it must be handled carefully. A stopper or cover allows for storage of liquids.

Glass Markers

Function:

Labeling substances in a laboratory is extremely important. All laboratory users have the right to know the identity of all chemicals they come into contact with for their own protection. Markers and labels are essential tools in a laboratory.

Gloves

Function:

Gloves are used to protect hands. Some gloves protect against temperature extremes while others serve as a barrier against harmful substances.

Graduated Cylinders

Function:

Graduated cylinders are specifically designed to make accurate liquid volume measurements. The volume is read from the lowest portion of the meniscus of the liquid; that is, the lowest portion of the convex dip of the liquid as it sits in the graduated cylinder. Graduated cylinders are available in a number of sizes.

Hotplate

Function:

The function of a hotplate is obvious. Hotplates are often used as an alternative to the bunsen burner. Some hotplates have a stirring mechanism as part of their design and allows for faster dissolving of some solids by heating and stirring at the same time.

Light Microscopes

Function:

Light microscopes are valuable tools that allow a user to view small objects. Student microscopes can magnify usually between 40 times to 1000 times, depending on the brand and model of the microscope used.

Microscope Slides

Function:

The microscope slide is a flat piece of glass used to serve as a platform for viewing objects under the microscope. Some slides come with a cut in depression on thick glass to hold drops of liquid. These are referred to as depression slides.

Mortar and Pestle

Function:

Mortar and pestles are used to grind solids into powders.

Petri Dishes

Function:

A petri dish is a flat dish made of plastic or glass with a cover that is primarily used to grow bacteria. However, the petri dish can be used to view seed germination or for viewing small animal observations. Petri dishes fit conveniently under a dissection scope (stereomicroscope) and is often used as a platform for viewing any small objects. Other applications are possible as well.

pH Testers

Function:

To test the acidity [acid (H+)] or alkanity [base (OH-)] of a substance, a paper with pH indicator dye or electronic tester is used. The pH papers use a chemical that changes colors with a change of pH. These come in a wide variety of pH ranges. Electronic testers use the electrical potential created by the excess of H+ or OH- ions.

Pipette

Function:

Pipettes are devices that allow the users to extract or deliver small amounts of a liquid. Pipettes come in a variety of designs with only two shown. Some are graduated to deliver exact quantities, but most allow for a "drop at a time" delivery.

Stirrer

Function:

The function of a stirrer is to agitate liquids for speeding up reactions or improving mixtures. The picture on the left is a magnetic stirrer used with hot plates. The picture on the right is a typical glass stirrer used in beakers or test tubes.

Stoppers

Function:

Stoppers are used to close flasks and test tubes from the environment. Stoppers come in many forms such as cork, rubber and plastic film that stretches over the opening.

Test Tubes

Function:

The function of a test tube is to hold a small experiment, which would be used to conduct an investigation. The test tube is made of specialized glass so it can be heated and cooled without breaking. This same type of glass makes the test tube brittle and it must be handled carefully.

Test Tube Holders

Function:

The test tube holder obviously is designed to hold test tubes. However, it can be used to hold pipettes and stirring rods, etc. as well.

Thermometer

Function:

The thermometer is an instrument for determining temperature. Most laboratory thermometers are calibrated in the SI scale (degrees Celsius).

Washbottle

Function:

Washbottles usually contain distilled water and makes for a convenient method to wash out test tubes or pipettes. Washbottles can also be used to dispense chemicals into test tubes or micro-chemistry depression plates.

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