Common Scientific Glassware and the Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratory

Summary

This script introduces essential laboratory equipment for chemistry, emphasizing the importance of using the right tools for various tasks. It covers glassware like beakers, graduated cylinders, and test tubes, and explains their specific uses. It also discusses safety equipment, such as fume hoods, and the correct use of balances for weighing solids. The video aims to familiarize viewers with lab practices for safe and accurate chemistry experiments.

Takeaways

• 🧪 Beakers are versatile glassware used for conducting reactions, transporting solutions, and as water baths for temperature control, and come in various sizes from 5ml to several liters.
• 📏 Graduated cylinders are used for accurately measuring liquid volumes, and readings should be taken from the bottom of the concave meniscus.
• 🔬 Test tubes are small reaction vessels for observing visible changes, requiring a test tube rack for stability and a holder for heating or suspending in water baths.
• 🍶 Erlenmeyer flasks are conical and used for mixing reagents and conducting reactions, with sizes varying and measurements being imprecise.
• 🔬 Buchner flasks, or filter flasks, are similar to Erlenmeyer flasks but have a side arm for vacuum filtration and should not be used for other purposes.
• 🌡️ Spatulas are used for picking up solids, coming in various shapes and should be handled gently to avoid bending.
• 🧪 Stirring rods are for briefly stirring solutions and should not be confused with thermometers, requiring careful handling to prevent rolling away.
• 💧 Pipettes are used for adding small amounts of liquid, operated by squeezing a bulb to draw and release liquid.
• 📊 Burettes are used in titrations, with inverted gradations to measure the volume added to another vessel.
• ⚗️ Volumetric flasks are used for making standard solutions, with a single line indicating the exact volume, and require careful handling near the neck due to rapid filling.
• 🌀 Separatory funnels are used for separating immiscible liquids and require the correct size cap and ring clamp for stability and to prevent spilling.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of a beaker in a chemistry lab?

Beakers are used for conducting reactions, transporting solutions and solvents, and as water baths to control the temperature of other vessels.

Why should we not use beakers for precise volume measurements?

The measurements on the sides of beakers are for estimating volume, but they are not accurate enough for precise measurements, which should be done using more precise glassware.

What is the main function of a graduated cylinder?

A graduated cylinder is used to measure the volume of a liquid accurately.

How should you read the volume in a graduated cylinder?

You should read the volume from the bottom of the concave meniscus to avoid ambiguity.

Why are test tubes useful for observing reactions?

Test tubes are small reaction vessels that allow for the observation of visible changes in reactions, but they require a test tube rack or holder to prevent them from rolling away or being heated safely.

What is the difference between an Erlenmeyer flask and a Buchner flask?

An Erlenmeyer flask is used for mixing reagents and conducting reactions, while a Buchner flask has a side arm specifically for vacuum filtration.

Why should a Buchner flask not be used for purposes other than filtration?

The side arm opening of a Buchner flask can cause the liquid to escape if used for other purposes, making it unsuitable for reactions where containment is necessary.

What is the purpose of a separatory funnel?

A separatory funnel is used for separating two immiscible liquids.

How should you handle a pipette when transferring liquids?

You should squeeze the pipette bulb to draw the liquid in, release the bulb to fill the pipette, and then transfer the liquid to the new vessel.

What is the role of a burette in a titration process?

A burette is used to measure and add precise volumes of liquid to another vessel during a titration.

Why is it important to be cautious when using a volumetric flask?

Volumetric flasks have long necks that can be easily knocked over, and they require careful handling, especially when filling near the neck, to avoid spillage.

What is the purpose of a mortar and pestle in a lab?

A mortar and pestle are used to crush solid materials into a powder.

What is the significance of the ground glass joint in glassware?

The ground glass joint is the thickest part of the glassware and should be clamped whenever possible to ensure stability and prevent breakage.

How does a reflux condenser work?

A reflux condenser works by cooling the gas in the tube, causing it to condense and drip back into the solution, allowing for continuous boiling without loss of volume.

Why is it crucial not to block the top of a condenser?

Blocking the top of a condenser can cause pressure to build up, which may result in an accident due to the potential for explosion or breakage.

Outlines

00:00

🧪 Introduction to Chemistry Lab Equipment

This paragraph introduces the viewer to the essential equipment found in a chemistry laboratory. It emphasizes that real labs differ from their portrayal in media. The narrator begins by discussing the importance of glassware, detailing the uses and sizes of beakers, and explaining their role in conducting reactions, transporting solutions, and serving as water baths. The paragraph also covers graduated cylinders for volume measurements, test tubes and their accessories for observing reactions, and Erlenmeyer flasks for mixing reagents. Specialized glassware like the Buchner flask and funnel, filter funnel, and powder funnel are also introduced, each with specific uses and precautions.

05:01

📚 Lab Techniques and Additional Equipment

The second paragraph continues the exploration of laboratory equipment, focusing on tools for handling solids and liquids. Spatulas for picking up solids, stirring rods for mixing, and pipettes for transferring small liquid volumes are described. The paragraph then introduces the burette for titrations and the volumetric flask for preparing standard solutions, highlighting the importance of careful handling to avoid breakage. The separatory funnel and dropping funnel are explained for their roles in liquid separations and controlled additions, respectively. The mortar and pestle for crushing solids and the round-bottom flask for serious reactions are also mentioned, with notes on their use and the necessity of appropriate clamping.

10:06

🔬 Advanced Lab Apparatus and Safety

This paragraph delves into more complex laboratory apparatus such as the reflux condenser, which is used for boiling liquids without loss of volume by condensing vapor back into the solution. The importance of not blocking the condenser's top to prevent pressure buildup and potential accidents is stressed. Clamps and a clamp stand for securing glassware are discussed, along with considerations for weight distribution and the various types of clamps available. The paragraph also covers columns for column chromatography, filter paper for various filtration needs, and other small equipment like watch glasses, evaporating dishes, melting point tubes, and NMR tubes. The paragraph concludes with a brief mention of the fume hood, emphasizing the importance of safety equipment and proper disposal practices.

15:11

🛡️ Safety and Practical Lab Techniques

The final paragraph wraps up the introduction by stressing the importance of proper equipment usage for safety in the chemistry lab. It mentions the necessity of familiarizing oneself with eye wash or shower stations and appropriate disposal containers, which may vary by lab. The narrator encourages viewers to pay attention to instructions from their instructors regarding these safety features. With the basic information about equipment and safety outlined, the paragraph invites the viewer to move forward and begin learning simple laboratory techniques, indicating that the next steps will involve hands-on experience.

Keywords

💡Beaker

A beaker is a cylindrical glass vessel used for mixing, stirring, and heating chemicals in a laboratory. It is a fundamental piece of glassware with a variety of sizes, from a few milliliters to several liters. In the video, beakers are described as versatile for conducting reactions, transporting solutions, and as water baths for temperature control, emphasizing their importance in chemistry labs.

💡Graduated Cylinder

A graduated cylinder is a piece of laboratory equipment used for measuring the volume of liquids with a high degree of accuracy. It is characterized by its tall, narrow shape and marked gradations. The video script mentions the importance of reading the volume from the bottom of the concave meniscus to avoid measurement errors, highlighting its role in precise volume measurement.

💡Test Tube

Test tubes are small glass tubes used as reaction vessels for observing visible changes in reactions. They are often used for small-scale experiments and are placed in test tube racks to prevent rolling. The script explains the necessity of using a test tube holder for heating test tubes over a flame or in a water bath, illustrating their use in observing reaction dynamics.

💡Erlenmeyer Flask

An Erlenmeyer flask is a conical flask used for mixing chemicals and conducting reactions. It comes in various sizes and has a narrow neck that prevents spilling. The script describes how Erlenmeyer flasks are preferred over beakers for running reactions due to their shape and ease of clamping and stirring, indicating their utility in chemical processes.

💡Buchner Flask

A Buchner flask, also known as a filter flask, is similar to an Erlenmeyer flask but features a side arm used specifically for vacuum filtration. The video emphasizes that it should not be used for other purposes to avoid liquid escape, showing its specialized role in filtration processes.

💡Separatory Funnel

A separatory funnel is used to separate immiscible liquids, such as during extraction processes in organic chemistry. The script describes the need for the correct size cap to prevent spills and the importance of a ring clamp for stability, underlining its function in liquid-liquid separation techniques.

💡Pipette

A pipette is a laboratory tool used for transferring small, measured volumes of liquid. The script explains the use of a pipette bulb to draw up and dispense liquid, illustrating its role in precise liquid handling and the prevention of contamination.

💡Burette

A burette is a long, slender glass tube with a valve at the bottom, used for titrations to measure and add precise volumes of liquid. The video mentions the inverted gradations on a burette, which allow for the measurement of the volume added to another vessel, highlighting its precision in titration experiments.

💡Volumetric Flask

A volumetric flask is a piece of laboratory glassware used for preparing solutions at a precise volume. The script describes the flask's single marking line that indicates its exact volume and the need for caution when filling it near the neck due to the rapid filling rate, emphasizing its importance in solution preparation.

💡Reflux Condenser

A reflux condenser is used to prevent the evaporation of a liquid during boiling by condensing the vapor back into the reaction vessel. The video explains the structure of the condenser, including the glass jacket filled with water for cooling, and the importance of not blocking the top to avoid pressure buildup, illustrating its role in maintaining reaction conditions.

💡Mortar and Pestle

A mortar and pestle is a simple yet essential tool for crushing solid materials into a powder in a laboratory. The script describes the use of this tool for grinding substances, typically made of ceramic, and the need for gentle handling, showing its utility in sample preparation.

Highlights

Introduction to the essential equipment used in a chemistry laboratory.

Explanation of the practical differences between a real chemistry lab and its portrayal in media.

Overview of glassware, emphasizing the importance of beakers in various sizes for conducting reactions and controlling temperatures.

Discussion on the proper use of graduated cylinders for accurate liquid volume measurements and the technique for reading the meniscus.

Use of test tubes, racks, and holders for observing reactions and heating processes.

Introduction to Erlenmeyer flasks for mixing reagents and conducting reactions, noting their imprecise measurements.

Differentiation between Buchner flasks and their specific use in vacuum filtration.

Utilization of Buchner funnels and rubber adaptors for vacuum filtration setups.

Description of filter funnels and powder funnels for gravity filtrations and adding powders to flasks.

Importance of using spatulas and stirring rods correctly for handling solids and stirring solutions.

Functionality of pipettes for transferring small amounts of liquid.

Explanation of burettes and their use in titrations for measuring added volumes.

Use of volumetric flasks for preparing standard solutions with precise volume markings.

Introduction to separatory funnels for separating immiscible liquids and the importance of correct cap sizing.

Difference between dropping funnels and separatory funnels, especially in reactions requiring controlled addition of liquids.

Application of mortar and pestle for crushing solid materials into powders.

Use of round-bottom flasks in serious reactions, noting their heat distribution and stirring advantages.

Description of reflux condensers for boiling liquids without volume loss and safety precautions.

Importance of clamps and clamp stands for securing glassware during experiments.

Overview of columns used in column chromatography with various designs and features.

Use of filter paper for filtration setups and drying solids.

Introduction to watch glasses and evaporating dishes for holding, weighing, and drying solids.

Functionality of melting point tubes for determining the melting point of compounds.

Use of NMR tubes for obtaining NMR spectra of compounds.

Importance of working within a fume hood and using a combination hot plate and magnetic stirrer for reactions.

Necessity of accurate weighing with scales or balances and the process of taring for precise measurements.

Conclusion emphasizing the importance of understanding and using lab equipment properly for safety and effective chemistry practices.

Transcripts

If we are going to learn how to do  chemistry, the first thing we need to do  

is learn a little bit about all of the equipment  in the laboratory. We are probably familiar with  

the way that chemistry labs are portrayed in  movies, cartoons, and horrible stock images,  

but not surprisingly a real chemistry lab does  not look very much like this. Instead, a chemistry  

laboratory will typically look something like  this. So let’s familiarize ourselves with the  

instruments we will be using on a regular basis. First off, if we are going to do chemistry we  

are going to have to use lots of glassware. Let’s  start with one of the more familiar items. These  

are beakers. There is a range of beaker sizes  available, ranging from as small as 5 milliliters,  

to as large as several liters, and there are  different situations in which these different  

sizes would be desirable. Most often, we tend to  use beakers between around 10 to 400 milliliters.  

Beakers have many uses. Reactions can be conducted  in them. They can be used to transport solutions  

and solvents. Or they can be used as water  baths, meaning we can suspend some other vessel  

in the beaker in order to control its temperature.  Always be aware of what you are using a beaker for  

and use the appropriately sized beaker for the  job. The measurements on the sides are great  

for estimating the volume, but we do not carry  out actual measurements of volume using beakers,  

we have glassware that is more accurate  for measuring volumes when necessary. 

Speaking of measuring volumes, next up we have  the graduated cylinder. A graduated cylinder  

is used to measure the volume of a liquid.  These also range quite a bit in size. Be  

aware that they are tall, so you may at some point  accidently knock one over. In order to avoid this,  

always place them down where you can see them or  where less movement is occurring. We should also  

be aware that when taking measurements with a  graduated cylinder, we will always read from  

the bottom of this concave meniscus. This word  refers to the way the liquid climbs a little  

bit up the edges, and to avoid ambiguity, we  will take readings from this position here. 

Next we have test tubes, test tube racks, and test  tube holders. A test tube is a very small reaction  

vessel, which is nice to use when observing  obvious visible changes in the reaction. They  

don’t stand up by themselves so be sure to place  them a test tube rack so they don’t roll away.  

A test tube holder, like this one, can  be used to hold a test tube above the  

flame of a Bunsen burner, or suspend it in  a water bath. Get comfortable holding one of  

these before heating it and be sure to have one  that fits the size of test tube you are using. 

Next let’s check out another recognizable piece  of glassware, the Erlenmeyer flask. A conical,  

or Erlenmeyer flask looks like this. These are  typically used for mixing reagents together  

and conducting a reaction. Again, they come in  various sizes, and the measurements on the sides  

are quite imprecise, so they shouldn’t  be used when accuracy is necessary.  

The tapered edges leading to the small opening at  the top prevent spilling, and they also make these  

flasks ideal for clamping, which is something we  will commonly want to do. If the mixture needs  

to be manually stirred, you can manipulate  them with less fear of the solution escaping  

which is why these are typically preferred  for running reactions over beakers. 

Next we have the indispensable Buchner flask,  or filter flask. These are very similar to the  

Erlenmeyer flask, it is simply that the Buchner  flask has a side arm which is used when conducting  

vacuum filtration, which we will discuss in  another tutorial. Avoid using these for anything  

other than filtrations as the side arm  opening can cause the liquid to escape. 

With the Buchner flask covered, let’s check  out the Buchner funnel and accompanying  

rubber adaptor. The Buchner funnel is also  used when conducting vacuum filtrations.  

These sit in the Buchner flask and are  typically made of ceramic, but plastic  

ones are sometimes used. For a better seal, we  tend to use the rubber adaptor. These aren’t  

all that stable so be sure to clamp the flask  first before assembling the filtration setup. 

Next let’s examine the filter funnel. For  gravity filtrations, we use this kind of funnel.  

Either cotton wool or a folded piece of filter  paper can be used for gravity filtrations,  

which will also be properly demonstrated later. 

To finish off the funnels, let’s check out the  powder funnel. When wanting to add powder to a  

flask, which could be a drying agent, or any  solid reagent, sometimes it is much easier to  

use a powder funnel.These can be placed on top  of a flask, and a solid can be added easily.  

These typically are not made of glass so they are  easily distinguishable from the other funnels.  

Be sure to check and see if it is clean  before using it and clean it afterwards. 

Next we have the spatula. When picking up  solids, we will use a spatula. Some are curved,  

some are flat, and they usually bend if  necessary, but be gentle whenever possible. 

Similarly we have the stirring rod.  When wanting to briefly stir something,  

a stirring rod is the best option. Do not get this  confused with a thermometer, and be careful when  

putting these down as they do roll away. Then we get to the pipette. For adding  

small amounts of liquid, we use  a pipette. Using a pipette bulb,  

a liquid can be taken up and put somewhere  else. Simply squeeze, place into the liquid,  

release the bulb to draw the liquid into the  pipette, and then transfer it to the new vessel. 

Next up we have the burette. These are commonly  used with titrations. Like a graduated cylinder,  

it has these gradations for measuring volume, but  unlike a graduated cylinder they are inverted,  

so that you can measure how much volume  is being added to some other vessel.  

A more thorough demonstration of this instrument  will be shown when we conduct a titration. 

Then there is the volumetric flask. When making  standard solutions, we use a volumetric flask.  

Much like the volumetric pipette, a single line  indicates the exact volume of this flask. Because  

of the long necks, these can be knocked over, so  like the graduated cylinders, be careful where you  

place them. Also check which cap you have, as  some fit nicely but others are deceptive. When  

using these to make solutions, be extra careful  once you reach the neck, as this will fill up much  

more rapidly than the bulb, as it is so narrow. Moving along, we find the separatory funnel,  

which we learned about when going over extraction  in the organic chemistry series. For separating  

two immiscible liquids, we will use a separatory  funnel, sometimes abbreviated as a sep funnel.  

When using these, make sure you have the correct  size cap so that nothing spills when inverted.  

Sep funnels require a ring clamp, so make sure  that the size of your ring clamp is appropriate,  

as if too small the funnel will be unstable, but  if too big, it will not hold the funnel at all.  

We will notice that the separatory  funnel has a valve for releasing liquid.  

Sometimes the valve comes assembled, and sometimes  they need to be assembled. We will talk more about  

this apparatus when we perform an extraction. Now this is called a dropping funnel. A dropping  

funnel looks very similar to a sep funnel,  but they have this separate arm and a ground  

glass joint. These joints become important  when conducting reactions under nitrogen or  

argon atmosphere with air-sensitive reagents and  products. They are used to control the addition  

of a liquid to a reaction, and the arm keeps the  pressure constant, so the addition is smooth and  

continuous. If there is no need for the ground  glass joint, a sep funnel will often suffice  

as a dropping funnel, but it is good to  know what this is if you come across one. 

Next we find the mortar and pestle. If you need  to crush up some solid material into a powder,  

you’d use a mortar and pestle. These are pretty  simple, you simply put the material in the mortar,  

and crush it with the pestle. These are usually  ceramic and quite heavy, and they are fun to use. 

Now we get to that ubiquitous piece of glassware  for the organic chemist, the round-bottom flask.  

As we will come to see, for more serious  reactions, we will use a round-bottom flask.  

There are many sizes, and they almost always  have at least one ground glass joint in them.  

The roundness allows for better  heat distribution and stirring,  

where the joints allow for easy fitting with other  glassware. Since they don’t stand on their own,  

we will use a cork ring to hold them up,  which must be of an appropriate size.  

If securing to a solid support, be sure to  clamp them around the ground glass joint area  

as this is where the glass is the toughest.  To be clear, this goes for all glassware,  

the ground glass joint is the thickest part and  should be the area clamped whenever possible. 

Moving along, this is a reflux condenser. When we  want to boil a liquid, but don’t want to lose any  

of the volume, we will use a reflux condenser.  These can look very different from one another,  

but they are all used the same way. They are  essentially a tube with a jacket, although some  

are just a tube, but these are less reliable. The  glass jacket is filled with water through these  

side arms which cools the environment in the tube,  allowing for the gas to condense and drip back  

into the solution. In this way, the liquid is  always boiling, but never escapes the reaction  

vessel. Tubes are attached to the arms here, with  water flowing in from the bottom and out the top  

through a separate tube. It is very important to  mention, that we must never block the top of the  

condenser with anything, as this will cause the  pressure to build up, which could result in an  

accident. A more thorough demonstration  of this apparatus will be conducted later. 

Here we have some clamps and a clamp stand,  something we’ve already seen a few times by  

now. As you have likely gathered, these are  used to hold up glassware and keep them locked  

in place. When using these, be careful with the  weight distribution as we don’t want the clamp  

stand to topple over. The base may jut out in one  direction more than another, so don’t overload one  

side when possible. Clamps themselves are very  adjustable with several screws, and there are  

a few different styles in terms of precisely how  they grip the glassware. Familiarize yourself with  

these as we should know what kind of clamp will  work best with a particular piece of glassware. 

Now here, this lovely instrument is a column. We  use these when performing column chromatography.  

They are essentially big, long, glass  tubes with a valve at the bottom.  

Some have a ground glass joint at the top, and  some have solvent reservoirs. Some have a frit  

at the bottom, which is a porous material,  and some don’t. We will learn how to assemble  

and use one of these in a later tutorial,  but for now we know what they look like. 

Now getting to some of the smaller accoutrements,  this is filter paper. Filter paper comes in  

various sizes and gradings depending on the  size of the particles you are filtering.  

Generally speaking, a finer grading  will filter a solution more slowly.  

Filter paper will be used for  the Buchner filtration setup  

but can also be used for gravity filtrations,  which we will perform later in the series.  

Filter paper can also be used to passively  dry solids as they tend to absorb liquids. 

Now this is a watch glass. A watch glass is  just a simple piece of glassware that can be  

used to hold and weigh an amount of solid.  They wobble a bit, so be gentle with them. 

Similarly, this is an evaporating dish. Sometimes  you may need to let a wet solid sit and dry.  

We can use an evaporating dish for this. They  are typically ceramic and have high edges. 

Now this little thing is a melting point tube.  When performing melting point determination,  

you need a melting point tube. These look like  little capillaries but they are in fact sealed at  

one end. They are very thin and small so make sure  you have an area where you can safely place them.  

Solid is added to the open end, and the tube  can be placed in any melting point apparatus  

when measuring the melting point of a compound. In the same vein, here is an NMR tube and cap.  

When you need to obtain an NMR spectrum, this  is the tube we will use, and here is the cap  

we use. Simply make a rather concentrated  solution of the compound you’d like to run,  

add it to the tube with a pipette, and then  cap it. This is now ready for the spectrometer. 

Now let’s head over to the fume hood. We  will tend to run reactions in here, so many  

instruments will live inside the hood. This is  a combination hot plate and magnetic stirrer.  

As one would guess, this piece of equipment can  both heat and stir your reaction. One dial will  

control the heat, and the other will control  the rotational speed of the magnetic stir bar.  

The heating may need to be calibrated  as the dial may not be totally accurate.  

Some have a plug for an external thermometer  to be used so keep an eye out for that. As  

for the stirrer, a small Teflon stir bar can  be placed in the solution and the contents  

of the reaction flask will be mixed, like  so. The stirring can get quite aggressive,  

so be sure to clamp up the vessel to  stop it from possibly falling over. 

Another indispensable piece of equipment is the  scale, or balance. Scales are used to weigh the  

mass of solids accurately. Be sure to tare  the scale with any vessel you are weighing.  

What this means is that whatever will hold  the solid, we can place it on the balance  

and zero the mass, so that the measurement we take  correlates precisely with the solid that is added.  

Make sure to avoid pouring or scooping the  solid onto the vessel while it is on the scales,  

as any residual material may cause the expensive  scales to break or malfunction. Take the vessel  

off the scale each time you want to add or  remove solid from the vessel you are using. 

And that wraps up an introduction to the  equipment you are most likely to use in the  

chemistry laboratory. Knowing how to use this  equipment properly is the best way to stay safe  

while doing chemistry, in addition to becoming  familiar with any eye wash or shower stations,  

and appropriate disposal containers.  These will be specific to your lab,  

so be sure to pay attention when instructed on  how to use these by your own instructor. But  

with this basic information understood, let’s move  forward and start learning some simple techniques.