Glassware used as laboratory apparatus serves a variety of purposes, including transfer and containment functions for laboratory solutions and other liquids. Most laboratory glassware is made of borosilicate glass, which is highly durable. These chemical containers can be used to safely store chemicals that are being heated over a flame. They can contain acidic or corrosive substances. It’s vital to clean all the laboratory glassware instantly after use, to prevent chemical residue from clotting and hardening.

BEAKERS

Beakers exist in a variety of sizes and are used to measure liquid volumes. Beakers aren’t exactly precise. Some of them aren’t even labeled with volume measurements. An average beaker is accurate to within roughly 10%. However, a 250-ml beaker will hold 250 ml of liquid +/- 25 ml. A liter beaker is accurate to approximately 100 ml of substance.

A beaker’s flat bottom makes it simple to place on level surfaces such as a lab bench or a hot plate. The funnel allows you to easily pour liquids into other containers. The large hole facilitates the addition of ingredients to the beaker. Therefore, they are frequently used for mixing and transporting liquids.

ERLENMEYER FLASK

There are numerous shapes and sizes of flasks. An Erlenmeyer flask is one of the most common in a chemistry lab. The neck of this flask is thin, and the bottom is flat. It can be used to swirl, store, and heat liquids. You can seal a container and it’s much quicker and easy to place a stopper in an Erlenmeyer flask. You can also cover it with parafilm.

Erlenmeyer flasks exist in a variety of sizes, including a 125ml Erlenmeyer flask. These flasks may or may not have volume markings, just like beakers. They are accurate to around 10% of the volume.

TEST TUBES

Small samples of substances can be collected and held in test tubes. They aren’t commonly used to measure accurate volumes. When compared to other forms of glassware, test tubes are comparatively affordable. Those intended to be cooked directly with a flame are often made of borosilicate glass, but others are made of less durable glass and occasionally plastic.

Typically, test tubes do not contain volume markers. They are sold in various sizes and might have smooth or lip apertures.

PIPETTES

Pipettes are used to aid small amounts of liquid consistently and reliably. Pipettes are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. Pipettes that are unlabeled dispense liquids drop by drop and may or may not include volume indicators. Other pipettes are used to precisely measure and deliver volumes. For example, micropipettes are capable of delivering liquids with microliter precision.

The majority of pipettes are made of glass, however, others are made of plastic. This glassware is not meant to be exposed to flames or high temperatures. Pipettes can be distorted by heat and lose measurement precision when exposed to high temperatures.

FLORENCE FLASKS

A Florence flask is also known to be a boiling flask. It is a circular flask with a thick wall and a narrow neck. It’s usually composed of borosilicate glass, which can survive direct flame heating. The flask’s neck provides for a clamp, allowing the glassware to be held securely. There are 500-ml and liter quantities available.

VOLUMETRIC FLASKS

Volumetric flasks are used to prepare solutions. Each has a small neck and a marker, which is usually for a single precise volume. Volumetric flasks are not intended for heating since temperature changes cause materials, including glass, to expand or contract. These flasks can be sealed to prevent evaporation from affecting the concentration of a stored solution. (Marie)

FINAL WORDS

These are some of the most common laboratory glassware and their uses. If you find this blog informative, and looking to get some apparatus for your own, contact Molecular Biology products. We have all the lab equipment you may need. Our store comprises all types of pipettes, 250ml Erlenmeyer flask, beakers, and many more.

Bibliography

Marie, Anne. Chemistry Glassware Names and Uses. 12 9 2019.