What are laboratory apparatus and what are their uses? Laboratory equipment may seem complicated, but understanding some basic apparatus and their simple functions can help make any lab less intimidating.
In this article, we’ll go through 35 of the most common pieces of laboratory apparatus with pictures and descriptions of their typical uses. From beakers to Bunsen burners, test tubes to pipettes, we’ll explore the tools every scientist needs in their lab.
What are Laboratory Apparatus?
If you’ve ever taken a science class, you’ve probably used different laboratory apparatus to conduct experiments and test hypotheses. Laboratory apparatus refers to the wide range of equipment and tools used by scientists working in a laboratory.
35 Common Laboratory Apparatus and Their Uses With Pictures
The right laboratory apparatus gives scientists the tools they need to make observations, take measurements, analyze data, and come to conclusions. While the range of equipment can seem daunting, familiarizing yourself with some of the most common and important apparatus is key to mastering scientific experiments.
These are 35 laboratory apparatus and their Uses:
8 Essential Glassware in the Lab
Glassware in all shapes and sizes is found in laboratories around the world. Here are some of the most popular types of laboratory glassware:
Beakers
The Beakers are simple containers used to hold, mix, and heat liquids. They come in a variety of sizes, typically ranging from 50 mL to 2 L. Beakers do not have a pouring spout, so they are best for measuring, mixing, and heating liquids. They can withstand high temperatures, so they are ideal for boiling liquids or heating solutions.
Erlenmeyer Flasks
Erlenmeyer flasks, also known as conical flasks, have a narrow neck and flat base. They are ideal for swirling and mixing solutions since their conical shape prevents splashing. The narrow neck also allows for easy decanting or filtration. Erlenmeyer flasks come in a range of sizes, typically from 50 mL to 2 L. They are made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass, so they can be used for gentle heating and boiling.
Graduated Cylinders
Graduated cylinders are long cylinders with volume markings to precisely measure the amount of liquid they contain. They typically range from 10 mL to 2 L in size. Graduated cylinders are ideal for accurately measuring the volume of a liquid. They have a pouring spout to easily pour out liquids without spilling. The glass they are made of is durable but not heat-resistant, so they should only be used for measuring at room temperature.
Volumetric Flasks
The Volumetric flasks are highly accurate measuring tools used to prepare solutions of a precise concentration. They have a narrow neck and bulb shape. The neck is fitted with a special stopper to prevent evaporation and ensure an airtight seal. Volumetric flasks are carefully calibrated to contain an exact volume at a specific temperature. They are made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass and come in sizes from 5 mL to 2 L. Volumetric flasks are used to make standard solutions for titrations and testing in analytical chemistry.
Test Tubes
The Test tubes are small cylindrical containers used to hold samples in the lab. They are made of glass or plastic and come in a variety of sizes. Test tubes are useful for mixing small amounts of chemicals, observing reactions, and performing small-scale experiments. Test tubes allow scientists to work with samples on a small, controlled scale. They are made of heat-resistant borosilicate glass and can withstand high temperatures. Test tubes often require a test tube rack to hold them upright.
Watch Glasses
The Watch glasses are circular glass plates with slightly concave surfaces. They provide an open container for evaporating or drying small amounts of liquid. Solids and precipitates can also be isolated on a watch glass. Their round shape and open top allow for easy viewing of the contents from all sides. Watch glasses range from approximately 50 to 150 mm in diameter.
Petri Dishes
The Petri dishes are shallow circular glass or plastic containers with lids. They typically range from 35 to 150 mm in diameter and hold between 5 to 100 mL. Petri dishes are used for culturing microorganisms.
Burettes
The Burettes are long, graduated glass tubes with a stopcock at the bottom, used for accurately dispensing measured volumes of liquid. Burettes allow you to carefully control the flow rate and volume of dispensed liquid. They’re commonly used in titrations to determine the concentration of solutions. Burettes typically hold 25-100 mL and have markings every 0.1 mL for precise volume measurements.
6 Common Laboratory Instruments for Measuring and Weighing
Scale
The Scales are used to measure the mass of objects. The most common types are beam balances, spring scales, and electronic balances. Beam balances have two pans attached to a rigid beam, while spring scales contain a coiled spring attached to a measuring device. Electronic balances use a sensor to determine mass. Scales allow you to accurately measure ingredients for experiments.
Ruler
A Ruler are used to measure lengths and distances. Most rulers measure in inches and centimeters. Rulers come in different lengths, depending on your needs. Having a ruler allows you to measure the dimensions of equipment, the lengths of wires, and the diameters of test tubes. Rulers are essential for recording precise measurements.
Thermometer
A Thermometer measure temperature, a key factor in many experiments. The most common types are mercury, alcohol, and digital thermometers. Mercury and alcohol thermometers contain liquid that expands with temperature, while digital thermometers use sensors. Thermometers allow you to monitor the temperature of reactions and ensure equipment like ovens is at the proper temperature.
Stopwatch
A stopwatch measures small intervals of time precisely. Stopwatches allow you to time reactions and other experiments where time is a key variable. Stopwatches typically measure time in seconds, minutes, and hours. Digital stopwatches are the most common and can provide split times in addition to total elapsed time. Stopwatches provide accurate timing in the laboratory.
Pipette
The Pipettes are tools used to transfer precise volumes of liquid. They typically consist of a narrow tube with a bulb at the top to control suction. Pipettes allow you to measure and dispense small amounts of chemicals and solutions for experiments where precision is key. They come in a range of sizes for handling anything from a few drops to several milliliters. Pipettes provide accuracy and control when working with liquids.
pH Meter
A pH meter measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution. It contains a probe that is placed in the solution to determine the concentration of hydrogen ions. pH meters provide a digital readout of pH levels. They allow you to monitor the pH of chemicals, solutions, and the results of experiments. pH meters are essential for acid-base reactions and other experiments where pH is an important factor.
8 Laboratory Apparatus for Heating and Cooling
Hot Air Oven
The hot air oven is one of the most common pieces of laboratory equipment used for heating purposes. It uses convection heating, meaning hot air is circulated around the chamber. You’ll use an oven to sterilize glassware, heat reagents, or dry samples. Most ovens have a temperature control dial so you can set the desired temperature.
Bunsen Burner
The Bunsen burner is a staple of any chemistry lab. It produces an open flame used for heating, sterilization, and combustion. The flame temperature can be adjusted by controlling the amount of gas and air mixed. To increase the temperature, open the air holes at the base. For lower heat, close the air holes. Always exercise caution when using an open flame.
Hot Plate
If you need controlled heating, a hot plate is very useful. It has a flat surface that can be heated to specific temperatures using an adjustable dial or digital temperature controller. Hot plates are good for gently heating reagents or keeping samples warm. They typically range from 5°C above ambient temperature up to 350-500°C. Hot plates provide even, direct heating without an open flame.
Water Bath
A water bath allows for indirect heating by heating a reservoir of water, which then heats the contents of the bath through conduction. It is useful when you need to heat something gently to a specific temperature. Water baths typically range from room temperature to 99°C. You’ll use a water bath for applications like warming reagents, thawing samples, or controlling fermentation temperatures. The water is heated and temperature-controlled using a built-in heater and thermostat.
Incubator
A laboratory incubator is a temperature-controlled chamber for growing and maintaining microbiological cultures. It is often composed of stainless steel or glass and includes a built-in heating element and thermostat to control temperature, CO2 levels, and humidity. The container also includes a fan to circulate air and prevent hot spots.
Refrigerator
The Refrigerators are essential for keeping reagents, samples, and other materials cool or cold. Most lab fridges range in temperature from 2-8°C. Some units also have a freezer compartment for storing items at -20°C or below. Refrigerators prevent degradation and maintain the integrity of heat-sensitive materials. They come in compact benchtop sizes up to large walk-in cold rooms.
Freezer
A Freezer provide extremely low temperatures (around -20 °C and below) for preserving samples or reagents for long-term storage. Standard upright freezers can reach -20°C, while chest freezers go down to -40°C or more. Ultra-low temperature freezers reach -80°C. Freezers stop all biological activity and slow chemical reactions. They are essential for long-term sample storage in many laboratories.
Ice Maker
An ice maker provides a ready source of ice for cooling applications where refrigeration alone isn’t enough. Crushed or cubed ice can be used in ice baths to quickly chill samples, reagents, or equipment. Ice makers produce ice on demand using a built-in ice mold and water filter system. The ice is then dispensed as needed. Some units can
5 Laboratory Equipment for Mixing and Stirring
Magnetic stirrer
A magnetic stirrer uses a rotating magnetic field to spin a stir bar in a liquid, mixing the solution. The stir bar is usually made of a magnetic material like iron or alloy. When you turn on the magnetic stirrer, a magnetic field that spins the stir bar in the solution is created. Magnetic stirrers are useful for gently mixing solutions where a mechanical stirrer may be too harsh. They’re ideal for making solutions, keeping reagents suspended, and slowly mixing chemicals.
Vortex mixer
A vortex mixer rapidly shakes and mixes the contents of test tubes and microcentrifuge tubes. It uses a vibrating platform that shakes tubes at a high frequency, creating a vortex in the tube that thoroughly mixes the sample. Vortex mixers are essential for resuspending pelleted cells, mixing reagents, and homogenizing samples. They’re ideal when you need to mix small volumes in tubes.
Hot plate stirrer
A hot plate stirrer combines a magnetic stirrer with a heated plate. It allows you to heat and mix solutions at the same time. The temperature is adjustable, so you can choose a specific temperature to heat your solution to. Hot plate stirrers are useful when you need to heat a solution during mixing, such as for making agar, heating reagents, and warming samples. The heat and mixing can be turned on and off independently.
Overhead stirrer
An overhead stirrer, also called an overhead mixer, attaches to a ring stand or other support and uses a motor to spin a stirring shaft in a solution. Various attachments like paddles, propellers, and blades can be added to the stir shaft to mix the solution. Overhead stirrers are best for mixing large volumes since the motor and shaft can handle more resistance. They’re good for making solutions in beakers and Erlenmeyer flasks. The speed is often adjustable, allowing gentle to vigorous mixing.
Homogenizer
A homogenizer uses mechanical energy to completely disrupt cells and tissues, homogenizing the sample into a uniform mixture. Homogenizers use blades, rotors, pistons, and ultrasonic energy to physically break apart samples. They are used to extract analytes from biological samples, prepare samples for analysis, and achieve a uniform particle size in emulsions and suspensions. Homogenizers can handle small to large volumes, from a few milliliters up to several liters.
5 Laboratory Equipment for Filtration and Separation
Filter Paper
The Filter paper is a semi-permeable paper barrier that is one of the most commonly used pieces of equipment for filtration and separation in a lab. It consists of porous paper that allows liquids or gases to pass through while trapping solid particles. The size of the pores in the paper determines what can pass through. Filter paper comes in a range of pore sizes for different filtration needs.
Buchner Funnel
The Buchner funnel is used along with filter paper to speed up the filtration process. It consists of a porcelain funnel with holes in the bottom, which is attached to a sidearm flask. A vacuum is applied to the flask to pull the liquid through the filter paper much faster. Buchner funnels allow for fast filtration of large volumes of liquid.
Centrifuge
A centrifuge is used to separate particles from liquids using centrifugal force. It spins samples at high speeds, which causes the denser particles to move outward. Centrifuges come in a range of sizes for different applications. They are very useful for separating components that have a density difference, like blood cells from plasma.
Distillation Apparatus
A distillation apparatus uses the boiling point difference of liquids to separate them from each other. It heats a mixture to boil the components, then collects the resulting vapor and condenses it back to liquid. The components with the lower boiling points vaporize and condense first. Distillation is useful for purifying and separating liquids with different boiling points.
Chromatography Paper
A Chromatography paper is used to separate components of a mixture based on how strongly they interact with the paper. The sample is spotted onto the paper, which is then placed in a solvent. The components that interact less strongly with the paper will travel farther with the solvent. Chromatography can be used to identify unknown compounds and purify samples.
3 Specialized Lab Equipment and Their Functions
In any laboratory, specialized equipment is required to conduct experiments and research. Here are some of the common pieces of apparatus you’ll find and their uses:
Microscope
A Microscopes allow you to view objects that are invisible to the naked eye. Light microscopes use light and lenses to magnify small specimens like cells and tissues. Electron microscopes use beams of electrons to view even smaller structures with higher magnification.
Laboratory Balances
Balances are used to measure the mass of objects and chemicals. Different types provide varying degrees of accuracy and precision. Digital balances offer the easiest and most precise measurements.
Fume hood
The Fume hoods are essential safety equipment that prevent exposure to hazardous fumes. They have a chamber to contain the fumes and an exhaust system to remove them from the lab.
With the proper equipment and training, a laboratory can be used to conduct groundbreaking research and push the boundaries of science. Familiarizing yourself with the specialized apparatus and their functions is the first step to becoming an accomplished scientist.
Conclusion
So there you have it, 35 of the most common pieces of laboratory apparatus and what they’re used for. From beakers to burettes, test tubes to thermometers, you’ve now got a solid understanding of the standard tools you’ll encounter in most labs. Some you may use every single day, while others will only make an occasional appearance. But knowing what they all are and what they do will help you navigate any lab space confidently.