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Table of Contents
Laboratory equipment refers to the different tools and equipment that can be seen in a laboratory. Generally, these tools and equipment help scientists perform their experiments.
See the fact file below for more information on Laboratory Equipment, or alternatively, you can download our 22-page Laboratory Equipment worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
The Laboratory
- A laboratory, or informally referred to as a lab, is a controlled place or facility with a controlled environment / conditions appropriate to conduct experiments following scientific methods.
- Laboratories can be found in schools and universities wherein, generally, students conduct scientific experiments related to their studies and fields.
- Laboratories can also be found in industry, government, and military facilities.
- Depending on what type of laboratory, there might be apparatuses that are exclusive to a certain type of laboratory.
- For example, a physics laboratory may contain a particle accelerator. On the other hand, a psychologist’s laboratory may be a facility with one-way mirrors or hidden cameras for behavioral analysis.
Laboratory Equipment
- In relation to laboratories providing a controlled environment conducive for experiments, there are also tools to be used by scientists/researchers or anyone who would like to perform an experiment in a laboratory.
- In general, laboratory equipment points to the different tools, apparatuses, and equipment that can be seen and used inside a laboratory.
- There are no rules in classifying laboratory equipment. However, these tools can be grouped according to their uses and the material used to make them.
Glassware
- In this section, all laboratory equipment that will be discussed is made from the same material – glass. However, their uses may vary.
- The Erlenmeyer Flask is designed for easy stirring in a way that stirring can be done by simply swirling the flask by hand. This is also often used for titrations (a method of quantitative chemical analysis).
- The Beaker is designed to be able to hold varying volumes of liquid, and also the spout allows easy pouring of liquids.
- Test Tubes are generally used to hold and mix a small volume of liquid samples. This equipment is also often used in qualitative analysis.
- The Volumetric Flask, as the name suggests, measures the (specific) volume of a liquid sample inside the flask. This tool also allows easy mixture of solutions as this is generally paired with a stopper.
- Graduated cylinders are generally used for measuring different volumetric measures of a liquid sample. The spout also allows easy pouring of liquid.
- A glass petri dish is a shallow lidded dish that is usually used to hold a growth or culture medium (agar) on which bacteria or fungi can grow for analysis.
Laboratory Equipment According to Use
Lab Equipment for Heating
- In this section, the laboratory equipment that will be mentioned is used in the process of heating.
- A Bunsen burner (which is named after Robert Bunsen) is a piece of laboratory equipment mainly used to produce a single open flame for heating, sterilization, and combustion.
- A Bunsen burner used in combination with a tripod stand will be able to create a stable station for heating things.
Lab Equipment for Measuring
- In this section, all the laboratory equipment that will be mentioned is used to measure different measurements such as volume, mass, weight, temperature, and time.
- Pipettes are typically used to measure and transfer small amounts of liquids.
- An analytical balance is a precision measuring instrument typically used in qualitative chemical analysis. This is also used in determining the mass of solid objects, liquids, and many more.
- A laboratory thermometer is usually used to measure the temperature of substances and to find out the boiling and freezing points during experiments.
- A laboratory stopwatch is used to measure time intervals during an experiment in order to identify specific activation and deactivation points.
Lab Equipment for Observing
- In this section, all the laboratory equipment that will be mentioned is used to allow the researcher or scientist or the person using the equipment to have a look at substances and different materials for observation and/or analysis.
- In laboratories, microscopes are used to get a clear, high-quality view of the substance or sample being observed and studied.
- In this section, all the laboratory equipment that will be mentioned is used to allow the researcher or scientist or the person using the equipment to have a look at substances and different materials for observation and/or analysis.
- In laboratories, microscopes are used to get a clear, high-quality view of the substance or sample being observed and studied.
Lab Equipment for Holding
- In this section, all the laboratory equipment that will be mentioned is used to hold objects and/or other laboratory tools, or to keep things in their position.
- A test tube rack is used to hold multiple test tubes in an upright position all at the same time. Typically, test tube racks are helpful in organizing test tubes containing different solutions.
- A retort stand, also known as a ring stand, is equipment used to support other pieces of equipment or tools.
- Laboratory tongs, known as crucible tongs, are used to hold hot crucibles, flasks, or other pieces of equipment.
- A laboratory tripod is used to support flasks and/or beakers. This is typically made of stainless steel or aluminum with three (3) legs.
Other Laboratory Equipment
- A funnel is used to help with the transfer or pouring of liquids.
- A filter paper, in laboratories, is used to separate solid particles from liquids or gasses.
- A burette is often used for titration or for dispensing small amounts of liquids. Burettes, in general, serve the same purpose as pipettes.
- Desiccators are used to either dry a substance or to keep a substance from getting moist. Desiccators contain desiccants. A desiccant is a substance that is used to prevent or sustain the state of dryness of the environment.
- A wash bottle is a plastic bottle with a nozzle attached to it. This is typically used to wash glassware such as test tubes and flasks.
Other Fun Facts
- Griffin Beakers are named after John Joseph Griffin while Erlenmeyer Flasks are named after Emil Erlenmeyer.
- Michael Faraday has been credited with the invention of the test tube.
- IVF or In Vitro Fertilization procedures producing babies, also called test-tube babies, are actually done in a petri dish, not in test tubes.
- The term “thermometer” is actually derived from the Greek word thermo which means heat and meter which means to measure.
- The three (3) most common units of temperature measurement are Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin.
- The first-ever microscope is called ‘flea glasses’ as it was used to study insects.
Laboratory Equipment Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle that includes everything you need to know about Laboratory Equipment across 22 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching kids about Lab Equipment, which refers to the different tools and equipment that can be seen in a laboratory for measuring, observing, heating, holding, and more when conducting experiments.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.
- Laboratory Equipment Facts
- Memory Lab
- Guessing Lab
- Photo Lab
- Creative Lab
- Invention Lab
- Safety Lab
- Drawing Lab
- Boxed Lab
- Blank Lab
- Learning Lab
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of laboratory equipment?
Science lab equipment allows people to do experiments. They can observe and complete exciting experiments. This type of learning makes it easier to understand theories and concepts.
What is the difference between lab equipment and lab instruments?
Flows, pressures, and weights are just a few examples of the units to which instruments are used to quantify. An instrument is one of the equipment’s components. To carry out various sorts of activities, equipment may contain one or more instruments. Weight balance is an example of equipment.
When was lab equipment invented?
In 1633, John Winthrop made the first recorded importation of chemicals and apparatus to North America. The first American laboratory apparatuses were made in Philadelphia as early as 1785.
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Use With Any Curriculum
These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.