So now that we’ve introduced ourselves to the lab, and become familiar with the safety
protocols and procedures, we are now going to become familiar with the various lab equipment
we will be using this semester.
The first item on our list, is a measuring cylinder, we use this to measure out specific
volumes of liquids. The second item is called an Erlenmeyer Flask. We will be using an Erlenmeyer
Flask for titration purposes. The third item on our list is considered to be a Volumetric
Flask. Volumetric Flasks are used to create stock solutions. If we need to dilute a stock
solution, we’ll be using a more specific measuring system, known as a Pipette.
When we weigh out solid chemicals, we will transfer the solid chemicals after weighing,
in what is known as a beaker, to our lab bench. If we need to reconstitute our solid chemical
into a liquid form, we will take the solid chemical in the beaker, and reconstitute
it with a liquid, with our glass-stirring rod. The other end of a glass-stirring rod
is rubberized at a 45 degree angle, this is known as a Rubber Policeman. This will be
used to gather any chemical residue left at the bottom of the beaker that is needed for
our experiment.
When weighing out chemicals at the weigh station with our weighing paper, we will be using
a Scoopula. A Scoopula is angled so that we can use small mounts of the chemical. A different
type of paper you will be introduced to is Filter Paper. Filter Paper is thicker and
circular in comparison to the weigh paper. If we need to dry out chemicals, we will always
use the Filter Paper, and put it on a Watch Glass. Sometimes the experiments we do, require
small volumes if liquid. If this is the case, we will, be using Test Tubes. Test Tubes come
in a variety of sizes. For instance, this is a 10mm Test Tube. Our Test Tubes will always
be in a Test Tube rack. Another size we might be using is a 25mm Test Tube.
Due to heat from a chemical reaction, or heat we’re introducing into the chemical system,
we will never touch a Test Tube with our hands, but use tongs. One of the final pieces of
lab equipment we’ll be using is our Retort Stand. We will be using Retort Stands to hold
up things such as Burettes, demonstrated on the Retort Stand, with a clamp. There are
two specific types of clamps we will be seeing in our experiments, this one, noting rubberized
ends, typically to hold up a Burette.
When heating up chemicals in our glass wear such as in an Erlenmeyer Flask, we’ll be
using a 3-Pronged Clamp. While doing a Titration experiment, we will be also using a ceramic
tile. The ceramic tile is always white, in order to assess any potential change in colour.
So again, taking your Erlenmeyer Flask, using it for a Titration, with our Burette, we will
be able to determine, based on a white background, if any colour changes has occurred.
This concludes our general overview of the lab equipment you will be using this semester.
Our next video will demonstrate proper weighing procedures at the weigh station.