Glassware: Measuring Volume

What is a graduated cylinder?

-- used to measure the volume of a liquid -- generally more accurate and precise than laboratory flasks and beakers

What is a beaker?

--a simple container for stirring, mixing and heating liquids --available in a wide range of sizes, from one millilitre up to several litres

What is a volumetric pipette or bulb pipette?

--allows extremely accurate (of four significant figures) measurement of a volume of solution --have a large bulb with a long narrow portion above with a single graduation mark as it is calibrated for a single volume --used to make laboratory solutions from a base stock as well as prepare solutions for titration

What is a volumetric flask?

--calibrated to contain a precise volume at a particular temperature --used for precise dilutions and preparation of standard solutions --These flasks are usually pear-shaped, with a flat bottom, and made of glass or plastic --The neck of the volumetric flasks is elongated and narrow with an etched ring graduation marking

What is a serological pipette?

--used in the laboratory for transferring milliliter volumes of liquid, from less than 1 ml to up to 50 ml --pipettes can be sterile, plastic, and disposable or sterilizable, glass and reusable --Both kinds of pipettes use a pipet-aid, for the aspiration and dispensation of liquids --useful for mixing chemical solutions or cell suspensions, transferring liquids between receptacles, or carefully layering reagents of different densities --useful tools for transferring accurate milliliter volumes of solutions in the lab

What is an erlenmeyer flask?

--used to measure, mix, and store liquids --cone-shaped container with neck, so you can hold the flask or attach a clamp or use a stopper --borosilicate glass so that they can be heated over a flame or autoclaved --You can seal them with a cork or stopper or place plastic or paraffin film or a watch glass on top of them.