4

Science Alive for VELS level 5

The science laboratorycientists 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. S

Filter

funnel

Test-tube

holder

Tongs

Evaporating

dish

Test

tube

Stirring

rod

Spatula

Safety glasses

Gauze mat

Tripod

Bunsen

burner

Heatproof

mat

Conical

flask

Bosshead

Clamp

Retort

stand

Measuring

cylinder

Beaker

Test-tube rack

Laboratory equipmentEQUIPMENT USE

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

 5

1. Science at work 1

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.

✓ le

arn

ing I CAN:

identify laboratory equipmentunderstand how to use laboratory equipmentdraw scientifically correct diagrams of laboratory equipment.

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.

THINK

4. When would you need to use a filter funnel and filter paper?

5. Why do you need a bench mat under the equipment used to conduct an experiment?

6. Identify the equipment shown in the diagram at right.

7. 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

8. 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.

:

Handy hints

• 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.

Tripod and gauze mat

Bunsen burner and heatproof mat

Beaker

Conical flask

Test tube

Retort stand, bosshead and clamp

Filter funnel and filter paper