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Types of Chemistry Equipment Used for Measuring

Accurate measurements are essential in chemistry.
Chemistry is an experimental science, and laboratory work is an essential component. Taking measurements of mass, volume, temperature and pressure all require specialized equipment. According to Santa Monica College, common equipment includes electronic scales, Erlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders and thermometers. The University of Colorado at Boulder points out that much of this equipment can be used in both general chemistry and organic chemistry. The University of Chicago adds that many experimental measurements can also be taken under a microscope when working with very small samples.

Mass Measurement Equipment

Mass is one of the most common measurements taken in a chemistry lab. Molar ratios and reaction rates often depend on the mass of one or more solid reactants. An electronic scale can often determine the mass of a sample to within a hundredth of a gram -- sometimes even a thousandth. Old-style mechanical balances are also still used in many laboratories, especially for caustic substances that threaten to spill and damage sensitive electronic equipment. A typical practice for taking the mass of a sample is to weigh the glassware that will hold it, tare the balance (zero it out) and then transfer the sample to the glassware while it is on the scale.

Volumetric Measurements for Liquids

Sometimes mass is not as useful to know as volume, especially in the case of a liquid at constant temperature. Even a glass of water contains numerous contaminants that make it hard to accurately weigh the mass of the H2O alone. Erlenmeyer flasks, graduated cylinders and beakers all come with etches or marks on their sides that indicate how much of a liquid is present in terms of volume. Solutions containing an active ingredient can be diluted by changing the