Lab tools: chemistry equipment for kids
Beakers, flasks, burners and goggles: meet the tools real scientists use in the lab. Pick one to find out what it is for, how to use it and how to stay safe. Press Listen on any tool and Fizzy will read it to you.
Glassware
- BeakerA beaker is a wide glass cup with a flat bottom and a little spout for pouring.
- Conical flaskA conical flask is a glass flask shaped like a cone, with a wide bottom and a narrow neck.
- Round-bottom flaskA round-bottom flask is a glass ball with a long neck.
- Volumetric flaskA volumetric flask is a pear-shaped flask with a long thin neck and a single line marked on it.
- Test tubeA test tube is a thin glass tube that is closed and rounded at one end.
- FunnelA funnel is a cone with a narrow tube at the bottom.
- Petri dishA petri dish is a shallow, round, see-through dish with a lid.
- Stirring rodA stirring rod is a thin glass rod used to stir liquids.
Measuring
- Measuring cylinderA measuring cylinder is a tall, narrow tube with a scale of lines up the side.
- DropperA dropper, also called a pipette, is a thin tube with a squeezy bulb on top.
- BuretteA burette is a very long, thin glass tube with a scale and a little tap at the bottom.
- ThermometerA lab thermometer is a long glass tube that measures how hot or cold something is.
- Electronic balanceAn electronic balance is a very accurate scale for weighing chemicals.
Heating
Handy helpers
- Test tube rackA test tube rack is a stand with holes that holds test tubes upright.
- SpatulaA lab spatula is a small, flat metal scoop for moving powders and crystals.
- Mortar and pestleA mortar and pestle is a heavy bowl with a club-shaped stick for grinding.
- Wash bottleA wash bottle is a squeezy plastic bottle with a long, bent nozzle.