Do Remember These Things From Your High School Chemistry Lab?

By: Kennita Leon
Estimated Completion Time
2 min
Do Remember These Things From Your High School Chemistry Lab?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

No chemistry lab is complete without the things on this quiz. Do you remember their names enough to point them out correctly? See how many you can answer correctly.
Periodic Table
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What is this?
Beaker
Periodic table
This is a scientific table that shows chemical elements and how they are arranged by atomic mass, with rows of elements called periods and a column of elements, called a group. This table was invented in 1869 by Dimitri Mendeleev, a Russian chemist, and is used to predict how an element will respond to chemical reactions. This makes it much easier for students and professionals to learn important information about elements quickly, such as whether they can conduct electricity or not.
Syringe
Forceps

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Beaker
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What is this?
Beaker
This is one of the most common vessels found in a lab. It comes in various shapes and sizes; some are tall and wide, others are shorter and some beakers have a spout while others do not. It is resistant to thermal shock and is used for mixing and heating liquids. The beaker was made by the manufacturing company Schott & Genossen, but different versions of it were made by Swedish chemist Jons Jacob Berzelius and Bohemian glassmaker Frantisek Kavalir.
Ruler
Thermometer
Flint lighter

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Safety Glasses
n/a
What is this?
Centrifuge
Latex gloves
Beaker
Safety goggles
These safeties are worn to protect the eyes from chemicals, water and other materials used in the lab that could potentially damage the eyes or impair eyesight. Safety googles were invented in 1880 by an African American, P. Johnson. However, it wasn’t until Garrett Morgan invented the gas mask in 1914, that the true value of safety googles was realized.

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Litmus paper
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What is this?
Litmus paper
This is paper contains about 15 dyes that have been extracted from lichens. It was first used in an experiment in 1300 AD by Arnaldus de Villa Nova, a Spanish chemist. Litmus paper is used to ascertain the pH component of a liquid-based material, that turns red when exposed to acidic material and blue for alkaline material.
Forceps
Safety goggles
Cork borer

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Volumetric flask
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What is this?
Volumetric flask
This laboratory flask has a long, narrow neck with a bulb at the bottom and is used to measure chemical solutions at particular temperatures and volumes. It is produced in various sizes and is often used to make aqueous solutions.
First aid kit
Magnet
Syringe

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Spectrophotometer
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What is this?
Dropper bottle
Thermometer
Spectrophotometer
Spectrophotometer is an instrument that deciphers the strength of wavelengths in various light spectrums. For example, if someone wants to determine the quantity of a particular color in ink, a spectrophotometer is the instrument that would be used for such a task. Arnold J. Beckman and other scientists at his company, National Technologies Laboratories, are the inventors of this instrument.
Beaker

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Test tube brush
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What is this?
First aid kit
Gas bottle
Beaker
Test tube brush
This tool is a device used to clean test tubes in a lab. It is a small instrument that enables it to easily clean other narrow instruments, such as flasks and beakers. It is uniquely designed with a rounded sponge-like tip that can easily absorb liquid and also protect the tube from damage throughout.

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Dissecting pan
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What is this?
Ruler
Dissecting pan
The dissecting pan is a durable aluminium pan that is essentially used to hold large specimens in the lab, such as animals. It is a staple of any lab, as it allows the scientist to dissect the specimen for research study or experiments
Flint lighter
Forceps

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Laboratory microscope
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What is this?
Microscope
This instrument allows humans to view and study objects that are too small to be seen using our eyes only. There are many different types of microscopes but the most common one is the optical microscope that is used to magnify small samples. It is often debated who invented the microscope, but Zacharias Jansen and his father are credited for the initial experiments that led to this historical development.
Petri dish
Centrifuge
Beaker

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Watch glass
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What is this?
Beaker
Latex gloves
Watch glass
The watch glass was made sometime after 1916 by a glass company in America - Corning Glass Works. This transparent concave material is used to cover beakers or as a means of evaporation for small liquid content. Also, when a watch glass is placed over a lab instrument, it allows the researcher to monitor activity taking place below in a safe manner.
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pH indicator strips
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What is this?
Thermometer
Forceps
Syringe
pH indicator strips
Also known as universal indicator, these strips of paper react to the pH of a liquid that they are dipped into. They change color depending on the alkaline or acidic content of the liquid and are usually used to test saliva, water and urine. This inexpensive tool was invented by Helen Free, her husband and other researchers at Miles Laboratories.

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Scale
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What is this?
Scale
In the 1700s, the initial designs of the scale were created by Richard Salter but it only rose to prominence in the 1840s in the United Kingdom, when R. W. Winfield experimented further. The scale is typically used to deduce mass or weight and contributes to the accuracy of research.
Petri dish
Flint lighter
Beaker

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Test tube rack
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What is this?
Test tube rack
This is what test tubes are kept in either during an experiment or after it has been completed. They are kept safe by standing tall in the rack and enables the researcher to conduct multiple experiments with ease. These racks are made in many sizes, colors and are composed of different materials.
Ruler
Dropper bottle
Cork borer

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Wash bottle
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What is this?
Wire gauze
Wash bottle
A wash bottle is a container used to clean appliances in a lab. It is equipped with a bent tube that allows the user to navigate the flow of water in the cleaning process. They are generally considered more convenient to use than other lab materials, such as beakers.
Centrifuge
Magnet

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Molecular models
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What is this?
Safety goggles
Gas bottle
Molecular models
This is a physical representation that shows how atoms in a molecule are arranged. These models help scientists to determine the result of certain chemical reactions but do not always provide a holistic image. Johannes Kelper initiated the research that led to the development of such models in the 1600s but August Wilhelm von Hofmann created the first initial model in the 1860s.
Beaker

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Drying tube
YouTube
What is this?
Forceps
Dropper bottle
Ruler
Drying tube
This apparatus holds materials in place that need to be in a dry environment in order to produce certain reactions. It is shaped like a tube and contains calcium chloride that can dissolve any moisturize that may be absorbed.

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Filter paper
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What is this?
Flint lighter
Thermometer
Filter paper
Filter paper is a partially absorptive material that helps to remove unwanted particles from liquids when it is placed over the device the substance is in. Filter paper has proven to be a useful tool in many lab experiments.
Beaker

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Utility clamp
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvfZqeIWPoU
What is this?
Centrifuge
Utility clamp
A utility clamp is similar to a pair of scissors but has a metal rod, prongs and a clamp and is connected to a stand for support. This stainless steel clamp is used to hold laboratory material such as flasks and beakers and also allows a researcher to heat a test-tube manually.
Cork borer
Petri dish

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Evaporating dish
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What is this?
Evaporating dish
This dish is a small bowl with a spout that is used to heat liquids so that a solid material is created when the excess moisture is removed. Most evaporating dishes are made out of glass, specifically borosilicate or porcelain. It is preferred as a heating tool in comparison to a beaker or flask because condensation can rapidly occur with these instruments.
Latex gloves
Syringe
Ruler

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Ring stand
YouTube
What is this?
Ring stand
This stand, which is made out of metal, has a long rod with a solid rectangular bottom and is equipped with rings and various clamps to hold different lab objects in place. It is frequently used for filtering purposes and to carry solutions that are being distilled.
Flint lighter
Forceps
Wire gauze

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Graduated cylinder
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What is this?
Safety goggles
Graduated cylinder
This instrument is used to measure the volume of liquids and can be recognized by its slender shape. It has marked lines that make it easy for a researcher to identify the amounts and is generally considered to be more accurate than beakers.
Dropper bottle
Centrifuge

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Crucible and cover
YouTube
What is this?
First aid kit
Ruler
Gas bottle
Crucible and cover
Crucible is a type of cup kept in a lab that is used to heat chemicals at very high temperatures. It is made of neutral material such as porcelain and is made available in various sizes, along with its protective cover.

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Sterile specimen cup
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What is this?
Wire gauze
Evaporating dish
Sterile specimen cup
When urine samples must be analyzed in a lab, a specimen cup is usually given to the patient to store the sample. It is sterile so that it is free from bacteria and in recent years, many versions of it have been created to suit specific needs and to hold certain volumes of liquid.
Safety goggles

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Spatula
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What is this?
Latex gloves
Syringe
Spatula
The spatula is a flat wide instrument that is used to transfer solids, apply treatments and to stir and mix solutions. They are excellent for lab use due to their resistance to many substances, such as heat and acid. It is believed to have been in use since the mid 16th century, specifically since 1525.
Petri dish

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Batteries
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What is this?
Batteries
These small devices are placed in various appliances and used to generate electric power. Batteries have been used as early as 1748 by Benjamin Franklin but they were invented by Italian scientist Alessandro Volta. They can also be rechargeable and are produced in various sizes and voltage.
Forceps
Flint lighter
Centrifuge

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Scoopula
YouTube
What is this?
Scoopula
This device is from the spatula family and also has similar functions: it is used in the weighing process to transfer solids to beakers and cylinders but it is much smaller in size. The scoopula is curved inward compared to the spatula which is broad. This enables it to have a firmer grip on solids and other materials.
Dropper bottle
Thermometer
Beaker

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Flame test kit
YouTube
What is this?
Ruler
Cork borer
Petri dish
Flame test kit
The flame test kid is similar to the pH indicator strips due to the fact that it changes color when exposed to certain substances. It is a relatively cheap method that reacts to elements such as metal ions, and helps a researcher to determine which metal is present.

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Calculator
YouTube
What is this?
Syringe
Calculator
Calculators are miniature electronic devices that are used in many different settings, such as in the classroom for educational purposes and in laboratories during research experiments. They have a keyboard and a small screen and were first developed in the early 1960s by Blaise Pascal.
Magnet
Safety goggles

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Funnel
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What is this?
Flint lighter
Funnel
Funnels are wide top tubes that filter liquids and powder through their narrow opening and help us to control quantities of substances used. Funnels in the lab are made of stainless steel so that the material being transferred remains sterile, but they are also available in plastic and aluminum. They have been used as far back as medieval times but their exact origin is unclear.
Centrifuge
Forceps

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Petri dish
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What is this?
Latex gloves
Thermometer
Petri dish
Also known as a Petri plate, is a hallow round and transparent object that has been utilized by scientists since its invention in 1887 by Julius Petri. Cultured bacteria and moss is kept in this sterile container until the experiment is completed. The latest adaption features metal rings at the bottom so that they can be stacked high without falling.
Dropper bottle

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Headlight
Shutterstock
What is this?
First aid kit
Beaker
Evaporating dish
Headlight
Headlights are small high-quality instruments placed over the head to examine substances in order to conduct thorough examinations. The artificial light is quite durable. Thomas Edison invented the first electric lamps in 1879 but they were standardized in 1904 by Prest-o-Lite.

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Wire Brush
Wiki commons
What is this?
Wire brush
Wire brushes are slender with bristles that are usually made from steel. They are generally used for cleaning hard surfaces and removing debris from concrete, wood metal and stone structures. Wire brushes are durable and their size allows ease of access in hard to reach areas, such as between car batteries.
Ruler
Cork borer
Beaker

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Dropper
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What is this?
Gas bottle
Dropper
Droppers are a popular medical instrument many of us have seen before, as they are used to measure small amounts of liquids, such as medicine. They are glass tubes that are short in length with a rubber end. A French scientist, Louis Pasteur, has been credited with the development of the dropper. He was also responsible for many scientific milestones and created the very first vaccines to cure anthrax and rabies.
Wire gauze
Thermometer

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Laboratory safety mat
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What is this?
Laboratory safety mat
These lab mats are unlike the typical household mats due to their high tolerance of heat. Their ridged surface keeps them in position and they are placed on tables and other work stations to protect the surfaces from damage. Initially, they were made from asbestos but due to its toxic nature, lab mats are made with fiberglass.
Petri dish
Forceps
Safety goggles

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Test tube
Shutterstock
What is this?
Dropper bottle
Test tube
Michael Farraday and Jons Jacob Berzelius are credited for this early 1800s invention. This is one of the most common medical instruments, identified by its slim glass structure with an opening at the top. It can hold small amounts of liquid that will later be tested in a lab for specific elements.
Syringe
Centrifuge

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Bunsen burner
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What is this?
Latex gloves
Beaker
Bunsen burner
The Bunsen burner was named after its inventor, Robert Bunsen, who developed it with Peter Desaga, his partner. It is a small burner used specifically in laboratories. It is adjustable and has a long slender shape and rounded bottom. Although providing heat is one of its main functions, it is also used for sterilization purposes.
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Buret
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What is this?
Forceps
Magnet
Thermometer
Buret
The buret is yet another form of measuring and dispensing liquid solutions. It has a stopcock at the end of its tube that controls the flow of the liquid. Though they resemble a syringe, they have different levels of precision. In 1791, Francois Antoine Henri Descroizilles invented the very first buret but it was not until Joseph Louis Gay-Lussac's invention that a standardized buret was made.

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Tripod stand
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What is this?
Syringe
Petri dish
Tripod stand
This device standing on three legs is used to support many objects, such as cameras, but it is used in laboratories to hold apparatus upright. The top part is made in various shapes and can be used to hold objects in place. This stainless steel instrument navigates easily across floors and platforms.
Ruler

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Thermometer
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What is this?
Beaker
Centrifuge
Latex gloves
Thermometer
Thermometers, which are instruments used to calculate temperature, were not invented all at once but instead went through a developmental process over a time period. Hero of Alexandria is credited with the early developments and the first standard device was in 1638 by Robert Fludd. Thermometers have bulbs containing alcohol or mercury that reacts to different temperatures.

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Digital Scale
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What is this?
Digital scale
Also known as a weighing scale, it uses newtons or kilograms to measure different readings, including body weight and muscle mass. Richard Salter was the inventor of this device but it became popular in 1840 in the United Kingdom when R.W. Winfield created the candlestick scale. In the 20th century, small nodes and other components were added to adaptations of this device in order to produce more accurate results.
Flint lighter
Dropper bottle
Safety goggles

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Tongs
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What is this?
First aid kit
Tongs
These are used to grasp small items, such as beakers and crucibles, or instruments that may be too hot to hold. It is hard to credit a single individual for this invention but it is believed that tongs were developed from pliers.
Cork borer
Gas bottle

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Parafilm
YouTube
What is this?
Wire gauze
Tongs
Parafilm
This thermoplastic secures the contents of beakers and flasks when it is used to seal the covers of these items. It protects the apparatus against air pollutants and moisture but there are conflicting reports as to whether or not it is ideal for long-term storage. However, it is a flexible tool that can stretch up to four times its length, making it a favorite inside and outside the lab.
Evaporating dish

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Mortar and pestle
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What is this?
Beaker
Mortar and pestle
This ancient tool is used to grind, crush and mash substances into a powdery form but is often used in ceramics to solidify materials. Early versions date back to centuries when early settlers used it in their everyday life. They have been used in the pharmaceutical industry but in recent times, more sophisticated tools have been invented.
Watch glass
Evaporating dish

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Pipet
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What is this?
Pipette
This is a small tube that is also used in labs to ration or liquids from one container to the next. They are a useful device that actually holds the liquid in place by vacuum until it is ready to be released. Pipettes were invented at The University of Marburg, Germany by Heinrich Schnitge in 1957, after he became frustrated with earlier less sophisticated versions.
Ruler
Safety goggles
Magnet

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Applicator sticks
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What is this?
Dropper bottle
Thermometer
Applicator sticks
These sticks look like cotton swabs but are actually made of wood and are much longer. They are used in routine procedures, sampling and when solutions are being mixed. In the medical field, they are used to apply medicine to wounded areas.
Petri dish

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Wire gauze
YouTube
What is this?
Syringe
Forceps
Beaker
Wire gauze
This thin net-like material is similar to a wire mesh and is used as a means of support for apparatus while they are being heated. It is heat resistant so it prevents glass beakers from breaking apart due to the heat. Wire gauzes are usually attached to a retort stand during the process.

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Chromatography paper
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What is this?
Centrifuge
Flint lighter
Latex gloves
Chromatography paper
This unique paper uses a mobile and stationary phase to divide components from substances during a research activity. For example, the paper would be stationary while a liquid solvent, like water, would be mobile and move across the paper after it has been dipped. The movement would then be measured using a chromatogram. This discipline was invented by Martin and Synge in 1943 and was a catalyst for other experiments and developments in the field.

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