Chemistry is a great branch of science that touches virtually every aspect of our lives. From additives to the fuels that we put in our cars to the chemicals used to manufacture the circuit boards in our computers to the plastics used to manufacture toys, automobile parts cups, safety glasses, you name it. Chemistry has played an extensive role in the development of technologies that many of us take for granted.
The teaching of chemistry is an important task undertaken by teachers the world over. However, a teacher will only be effective if they are able to teach chemistry and show their students chemistry in action at the same time. For this to happen, a teacher will have to have a lab outfitted with the proper equipment. What would a properly outfitted chemistry lab contain? Here is are some important items.
A well rounded chemistry lab set. Such as set would contain the following items at a minimum. An assortment of Electronic Digital Balances, Test Tube Racks, Support Stands With Cast Iron Base, Cast Iron Support Rings, Buret Clamps, Wire Gauze, a Bunsen Burner, Burets, a Mortar & Pestle, Porcelain Crucibles With Lids, Porcelain Evaporating Dishs, ,Glass Graduated Cylinders, Pear Shaped Separatory Funnels With Glass Stoppers, Volumetric Flasks, Flat Bottom Boiling Flasks, Graduated Glass Beakers, Erlenmeyer Flasks, Glass Funnels, Glass Laboratory Thermometers, Poly Wash Bottles, Assorted Diameter Rubber Lab Tubing, Glass Tubing, Dropping Pipets, Glass Stirring Rods, Test Tube Clamps, Crucible Tongs, Beaker Tongs, Stainless Steel Forceps, Stainless Steel Spatula, Clay Pipe Triangles, Lab Brushes, Weighing Canoes, Rubber Stoppers and Corks.
Safety equipment or personal protective equipment. As far as chemistry lab safety equipment goes, you would need several items. First of all you would need safety goggles to protect you eyes from splashes and spills. Google should be comfortable and fog free. Additionally, you will need a lab coat to protect your skin and clothes from corrosive chemicals that are common to chemistry labs. This will help to protect both your skin and it will also keep mysterious holes from showing up in your clothes after they are washed. You will also need chemical resistant gloves as recommended by the chemical manufacturer’s Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS). These will help to protect the part of you body closest to the chemicals, your hands. Finally, you will need a respirator that has air purifying cartridges as recommended by the chemical manufacturer’s Material Data Safety Sheet (MSDS). This will help protect you nose, sinus cavities, mouth throat and lungs from chemicals that can irritate them.
Finally, chemistry lab textbooks will be needed. A good lab text book will outline several basic lab experiments that are prepared with safety and comprehension in mind. Text books should have the experiments steps outlined clearly and in a way that is easy to follow.