ACTIVITY 1.
COMMON LABORATORY APPARATUS
and TECHNIQUES
Topics:
1. Basics on Chemistry laboratory
2. Common Laboratory Apparatus
3. Common Laboratory Techniques
Overview:
In this activity, the students will be taught the fundamentals of laboratory techniques such as pouring chemicals from a
reagent bottle, heating liquids in heat tubes, etc. Such techniques must be learned thoroughly to make laboratory work safer
and easier. The students will also familiarize the uses and functions of laboratory apparatus (glassware’s, etc.) that will used
frequently in chemistry experiments.
At the end of this module, the students are able to:
1. enumerate as many laboratory apparatuses as possible and their uses and functions;
2. articulate the basic laboratory techniques; and
3. perform techniques that are useful for safe and successful laboratory activity.
TOPIC 1. Basics on Chemistry laboratory
Chemistry curriculum is best practiced if enhanced by laboratory activities that has distinguishing role of
making sense of the natural world. A Chemistry laboratory is considered as a research workplace for the
conduct of scientific study. Before getting involved in an experiment, the students should be familiar of the do’s
and don’ts of the work place, the chemistry laboratory. Please view the videos relates to this topic by clicking
the links below.
https://www.labmanager.com/lab-health-and-safety/science-laboratory-safety-rules-guidelines-5727
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VRWRmIEHr3A&ab_channel=CrashCourse
TOPIC 2. Common Laboratory Apparatus
Students should be familiar with common glassware’s and apparatus that are almost, if not always,
present in all scientific research laboratories. The apparatus and equipment’s are classified according to (1)
common laboratory apparatus and glassware’s; (2) types of materials: glass, porcelain, metal, plastics, and
others; (3) laboratory equipment’s. But the most important in all of these is to know each of its functions and
the proper use and operation. Thus, students must be acquainted with what apparatus or equipment to use to
achieve a certain task in the laboratory or in the field. Read or view the content of the links below to be able to
reach the objectives of topic 2.
https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/chemical-safety/basics/glassware-and-equipment.html
https://owlcation.com/stem/A-Chemistry-Guide-List-of-Common-Laboratory-Equipment-Names-and-Uses
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp2DI32X4wE&ab_channel=WitsUniversityOFFICIAL
TOPIC 3. Common Laboratory Techniques
1. Testing for the odor and taste of chemicals
Chemicals should not be tasted nor tested for odor unless specifically directed to do so. Working with
toxic vapors must be done in a ventilating hood. To test the odor of a substance, waft a bit of a vapour towards
the nose. Do not inhale vapour directly from the test tube.
2. Pouring Chemicals from reagent bottle
Hold the cover of the reagent bottle with the right hand. Never lay the cover on the table. With the
graduated cylinder on the hand, hold the reagent bottle with the right hand and pour slowly only enough
chemicals into the cylinder. Never return excess chemicals into the reagent bottle.
Transferring liquid
using a pipet
3. Pouring Liquids
In pouring liquids from one vessel to another, care must be taken to prevent the liquid from running
down the vessel from which it is being poured. Hold a glass rod against the brim of the vessel with one tip of
the glass rod touching the side of the empty beaker and pour water very slowly into the empty beaker. This
procedure must be done several times until the student fells comfortable with the operation.
4. Heating Liquids in test tube
Partly fill a test tube with water and grasp it with a test tube holder. Bring the water to boil by holding
the test tube at an angle of 45 and passing it back and forth over the tip of the flame. The heat should
be applied to the upper portion of the liquid but should not strike the tube above the liquid because the glass
becomes so hot that it cracks when the liquid touches it. On the other hand, if heat is applied only to the lowest
part of the test tube, the sudden formation of vapour sometimes causes the contents of the tube to be thrown
out.
NOTE: in heating liquids, NEVER POINT THE TEST TUBE TO ANYONE.
5. Determination of Volume Using Graduated Cylinder
A graduated cylinder is the most common used apparatus to determine the volumes of liquids. For most
accurate measurements, burettes, pipettes, and volumetric flasks are used. The correct way to read the
volume of the liquid is to hold the graduated cylinder vertically at eye level and to take the reading at the lower
meniscus. Practice reading different volumes of water using the graduated cylinder and make you
observations.
EVALUATION
Submit or perform through Google Classroom.
1. What are the easiest part of this activity?
2. What is the most difficult task in the activity?
3. Name at least 5 common laboratory apparatus and give its function.
5. Demonstrate by sending a short video of at least one (1) of the five common laboratory techniques.
6. Make a conclusion/s about the activity (not less than 50).
