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When you are at school or work and need to spend time in a laboratory, it’s essential to know the laboratory equipment names. The reference covers various laboratory tools with detailed lists and pictures.
Knowing this vocabulary helps you communicate better with native English speakers and enhances your language skills. Even if you don’t work in a lab, having this knowledge will help you sound more fluent and expand your vocabulary.
Laboratory Equipment Names
List of Lab Equipment Names
Laboratory equipment refers to the various tools and equipment used by scientists working in a laboratory.
- Pipette
- Test tube rack
- Test tube
- Erlenmeyer flask
- Beaker
- Bunsen burner
- Alcohol burner
- Syringe
- Graduated cylinder
- Dropper
- Tongs
- Tuning fork
- Stethoscope
- Thermometer
- Friability tester
- Pulley
- Tape
- Barometer
- Indicator
- Stopwatch
- Speedometer
- Protractor
- Dry-cell battery
- Magnet
- Level
- Balance scale
- Magnifier
- Chart
- Microscope
- Earth science
- Dissecting set
- Telescope
Laboratory Equipment Names with Pictures
Learn these laboratory equipment names to improve and enhance your vocabulary in English.
Pipette
A Pipette is a laboratory tool used for transferring small amounts of liquid. It consists of a narrow tube with a tapered tip and a bulb at the other end, which is used to draw up and dispense the liquid.
- Example: The scientist carefully used the pipette to transfer a precise amount of the solution into the test tube, ensuring accurate results for the experiment.
Test tube rack
A Test tube rack is a laboratory tool used to hold and organize test tubes during experiments. It can be made of plastic or metal and comes in various sizes to accommodate different numbers of test tubes.
- Example: She placed the test tube into the designated slot on the test tube rack, ensuring that it was secure and wouldn’t tip over during the experiment.
Test tube
A test tube is a cylindrical glass or plastic tube used in laboratories to hold and mix small quantities of liquid. They come in various sizes and are often used in experiments to observe chemical reactions or to store small amounts of liquid.
- Example: The scientist carefully added a few drops of the solution to the test tube, observing the color change as the chemicals reacted with each other.
Erlenmeyer flask
An Erlenmeyer flask is a type of laboratory flask used for mixing, heating, and storing liquids. It is characterized by its conical shape with a narrow neck and a flat bottom, which allows for easy swirling and mixing of liquids without spilling.
- Example: The chemist heated the solution in the Erlenmeyer flask, carefully monitoring the temperature as the liquid bubbled and reacted inside the flask.
Beaker
A beaker is a cylindrical glass or plastic container used in laboratories to hold, mix, and heat liquids. It has a flat bottom and a spout for pouring, and often has graduations marked on the side for measuring the volume of the liquid inside.
- Example: The scientist poured the solution into the beaker, carefully measuring the volume using the graduations on the side before heating it on the Bunsen burner.
Bunsen burner
A Bunsen burner is a laboratory tool used for heating and sterilizing materials. It consists of a metal base with a gas inlet and a vertical metal tube with an adjustable air vent and a gas nozzle at the bottom, which produces a hot, blue flame when ignited.
- Example: The chemist adjusted the flame on the Bunsen burner before placing the beaker of solution on the wire gauze above it, heating it to the desired temperature.
Alcohol burner
An alcohol burner is a laboratory tool used for heating and sterilizing materials. It consists of a metal or glass container filled with alcohol, with a wick or burner at the top that is ignited to produce a flame.
- Example: The biologist used an alcohol burner to sterilize the scalpel before making an incision on the specimen, ensuring that no bacteria or other contaminants would affect the results of the experiment.
Syringe
A syringe is a medical instrument used for injecting medication or extracting fluids from the body.
- Example: The nurse filled the syringe with the flu vaccine and gently injected it into my arm.
Graduated cylinder
A graduated cylinder is a laboratory instrument used for measuring the volume of liquids. It has a narrow cylindrical shape with markings on the side to indicate volume.
- Example: The chemistry student carefully poured the liquid into the graduated cylinder and measured its precise volume.
Dropper
A dropper is a small tube with a rubber bulb used for dispensing small amounts of liquid.
- Example: The scientist used a dropper to add a few drops of the chemical to the solution.
Tongs
Tongs are a tool used for picking up and holding objects, typically in the kitchen or during laboratory experiments. They consist of two arms joined at one end with a pivot and have a scissor-like design.
- Example: I used the tongs to pick up the hot dog from the grill and place it on the bun.
Tuning fork
A tuning fork is a two-pronged metal instrument used for tuning musical instruments or testing hearing. When struck, it produces a specific pitch.
- Example: The musician used the tuning fork to tune her guitar before the performance.
Stethoscope
A stethoscope is a medical instrument used for listening to sounds within the body, such as the heartbeat or breathing. It consists of a small disc-shaped resonator that is placed against the skin and connected to earpieces by tubing.
- Example: The doctor placed the stethoscope on the patient’s chest and listened to their heart and lungs.
Thermometer
A thermometer is a medical instrument used for measuring body temperature. It typically consists of a glass or plastic tube containing a liquid that expands or contracts with changes in temperature, and is marked with a scale to indicate the temperature.
- Example: The nurse placed the thermometer under the patient’s tongue to check their temperature.
Friability tester
A friability tester is a laboratory instrument used for measuring the tendency of a tablet or other solid material to break or crumble when subjected to mechanical stress.
- Example: The pharmacist used a friability tester to test the durability of the new medication before releasing it to the market.
Pulley
A pulley is a simple machine consisting of a wheel with a grooved rim and a rope or chain that runs along the groove. It is used to lift or move heavy objects by changing the direction of the force needed to move them.
- Example: The construction workers used a pulley to lift the heavy steel beams to the top of the building.
Tape
Tape is a thin strip of material, such as plastic or paper, coated with a sticky substance on one side, used for attaching or binding objects together.
- Example: I used the tape to wrap the gift and secure the wrapping paper in place.
Barometer
A barometer is a scientific instrument used for measuring atmospheric pressure. It is commonly used in weather forecasting.
- Example: The meteorologist used the barometer to measure the air pressure and predict the upcoming weather conditions.
Indicator
An indicator is a device or substance used to detect or show the presence or level of something.
- Example: The litmus paper served as an indicator of the acidity level of the solution.
Stopwatch
A stopwatch is a clock-like device used for measuring the duration of an event or activity with extreme accuracy.
- Example: The coach used the stopwatch to time the runners during the race and determine the winner.
Speedometer
A speedometer is an instrument on a vehicle’s dashboard that measures the speed at which the vehicle is traveling.
- Example: The driver glanced at the speedometer to make sure they were driving within the speed limit.
Protractor
A protractor is a tool used for measuring angles in geometry. It typically consists of a flat, transparent plastic or metal piece with degree markings and a rotating arm or straight edge.
- Example: The student used the protractor to measure the angle of the triangle and solve the math problem.
Dry-cell battery
A dry-cell battery is a type of battery that uses a paste electrolyte instead of a liquid, making it more durable and less prone to leakage. It is commonly used in portable electronic devices such as flashlights and radios.
- Example: The flashlight wouldn’t turn on until I replaced the old dry-cell battery with a new one.
Magnet
A magnet is an object that produces a magnetic field and attracts ferromagnetic materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt.
- Example: I used the magnet to pick up the loose screws that had fallen on the floor.
Level
A level is a tool used to determine whether a surface is horizontal or vertical. It typically consists of a clear tube filled with liquid and an air bubble.
- Example: The carpenter used the level to make sure the shelf was straight before attaching it to the wall.
Balance scale
A balance scale is a tool used for weighing objects by comparing their mass to a set of known weights. It typically consists of a beam with two pans suspended from it.
- Example: The grocer used the balance scale to weigh the fruits and vegetables before selling them to the customers.
Magnifier
A magnifier is a tool used to enlarge the size of an object or text for easier viewing. It can be a handheld lens or a larger device with a stand.
- Example: The detective used the magnifier to examine the tiny details of the crime scene and gather evidence.
Chart
A chart is a visual representation of data or information, typically in the form of a graph or table.
- Example: The teacher used the chart to illustrate the students’ progress throughout the school year.
Microscope
A microscope is a scientific instrument used for magnifying and observing small objects or organisms that are not visible to the naked eye.
- Example: The biologist used the microscope to study the cells of the plant and better understand its structure.
Earth science
Earth science is a branch of science that deals with the study of the Earth and its physical components, such as rocks, minerals, oceans, and atmosphere.
- Example: The students learned about different geological formations and weather patterns in their Earth science class.
Dissecting set
A dissecting set is a collection of surgical tools used for dissecting and examining small animals or plants in a laboratory setting.
- Example: The biology students used the dissecting set to carefully examine the internal organs of the frog.
Telescope
A telescope is a scientific instrument used for observing distant objects in space, such as stars and planets. It uses lenses or mirrors to magnify the image and improve visibility.
- Example: The astronomer used the telescope to study the movement of the stars and galaxies in the night sky.
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