[image][image]

Balance

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.

Cover Slips

Function:

The cover glass is used in conjunction with a microscope slide. One function of a cover slip is to slow evaporation from the surface of the slide being examined. The cover slip also serves to flatten the object being viewed and can serve as a barrier between this object and the microscope's objective lens to keep the lens clean.

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.

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.

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.

Meter Stick

Function:

The above pictures shows a meter stick (below) and a yard stick (top) for comparison. Both of these devices are for measuring length or linear measurements. The meter is composed of 1000 millimeters or 100 centimeters or 10 decimeters and is the stardard linear measurement of the International System of Measurement (SI).

Function:

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

Microscope

 [image]

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 Slide

[image]

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.

[image]

Mortar and Pestle

Function:

Mortar and pestles are used to grind solids into powders. 

[image]

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.

[image]

 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.

[image]

Test Tube

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.

[image]

Test Tube Holder/ Rack

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.

[image]

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.

[image]

Ring Stand

Function:

.
a metal stand consisting of a long upright rod attached to a heavy rectangular base used with rings and clamps for supporting laboratory equipment