The science laboratory
cientists experiment in a laboratory. The science laboratory is different from
other classrooms in the school. It is filled with a range of equipment to help
you undertake scientific investigations.
Gauze mat
S
Laboratory equipment
EQUIPMENT
USE
Tripod
Beaker
Container for mixing or heating substances
Bosshead
Holds the clamp to a retort stand
Bunsen burner
Heats substances
Clamp
Holds objects at a required height on a retort stand
Conical flask
Container for mixing substances or collecting filtered substances
Evaporating dish
Container for evaporating small amounts of substances over a Bunsen burner
Filter funnel
Used with filter paper to filter substances
Gauze mat
Supports containers over a Bunsen burner while they are heated; spreads heat
evenly under the container
Heatproof mat
Protects benches from damage
Measuring cylinder
Used to measure volume accurately
Retort stand
Used with clamps and bossheads to hold substances at a required height
Safety glasses
Protects eyes
Spatula
Used to pick up small amounts of solid substances
Stirring rod
Used to stir mixtures
Test tube
Container for holding, heating or mixing small amounts of substances
Test-tube holder
Holds test tubes while they are being heated
Test-tube rack
Holds test tubes upright
Tongs
Used to pick up and hold small solids while they are heated
Tripod
Supports gauze mats over Bunsen burners
Bunsen
burner
Heatproof
mat
Conical
flask
Bosshead
Clamp
Retort
stand
Evaporating
dish
Measuring
cylinder
Filter
funnel
Beaker
Safety glasses
Test
tube
Test-tube rack
Tongs
Spatula
Test-tube
holder
Stirring
rod
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Science Alive for VELS level 5
Drawing laboratory equipment
Scientific drawings can be used in laboratory reports
to show how equipment was set up. It is important for
the drawings to be clear and easy to understand.
When drawing scientific diagrams, you should:
• always draw in pencil
• use a ruler to draw straight lines
• label the equipment drawn
• draw only a cross-section of the equipment
• not put lines across the top of glassware.
Here are some ideas for simplifying scientific
diagrams.
REMEMBER
1. What is the purpose of each of the following
pieces of equipment?
(a) Heatproof mat
(b) Evaporating dish
(c) Test-tube rack
(d) Retort stand
2. Give five examples of equipment used when
heating objects.
3. Give five examples of equipment used with
liquids.
Tripod and gauze mat
THINK
4. When would you need
Beaker
5.
Test tube
6.
7.
Bunsen burner and heatproof mat
Conical flask
8.
Retort stand, bosshead and clamp
to use a filter funnel
and filter paper?
Why do you need a
bench mat under
the equipment used
to conduct an
experiment?
Identify the equipment
shown in the diagram
at right.
Provide examples for each of the following groups
of laboratory equipment.
(a) Containers
(b) Objects used to pick up equipment
(c) Objects used to hold equipment in place
(d) Objects used to support other equipment
(e) Objects used to protect the user or equipment
Look at the diagram below of the equipment used
to evaporate salt from a salt solution.
(a) Draw a scientific diagram of the equipment
using the tips on this page.
(b) Label all the equipment.
:
Filter funnel and filter paper
• Use a filter funnel when pouring from a bottle or
container without a lip.
• Never put wooden test-tube holders near a flame.
• Always turn the tap on before putting a beaker,
test tube or measuring cylinder under the stream
of water.
• Remember that most objects get very hot when
exposed to heat or a naked flame.
• Do not use tongs to lift or move beakers.
5
1. Science at work 1
✓ learning
Handy hints
I CAN:
identify laboratory equipment
understand how to use
laboratory equipment
draw scientifically correct
diagrams of laboratory
equipment.