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Conical Flask
What is a Conical Flask? A conical flask, also known as an Erlenmeyer flask, is a type of laboratory glassware with a wide, flat base that tapers into a narrow neck. This flask is widely used in chemistry and biology laboratories for mixing solutions, heating liquids, titrations, and culturing microorganisms. Main Features The conical flask…
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Pneumatic Trough
What is a Pneumatic Trough? A pneumatic trough is a laboratory container used for collecting gases that are insoluble or only slightly soluble in water, such as oxygen, hydrogen, or nitrogen. It is typically made of glass, metal, or plastic and is filled with water to facilitate gas collection. The principle behind the pneumatic trough…
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Test Tube Brush
What is a Test Tube Brush? A test tube brush is a laboratory cleaning tool specifically designed to clean the inside of test tubes and other narrow glassware. It consists of a long, flexible handle (usually made of plastic or metal) with soft bristles at the end. These bristles help scrub away residues, chemical deposits,…
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Test Tube Racks: Uses, Types, Benefits, & Care
What is a Test Tube Rack? A test tube rack is a laboratory tool used to hold, organize, and store test tubes safely during experiments. It prevents test tubes from tipping over and spilling their contents. Test tube racks come in different materials, including plastic, wood, and metal. Types of Test Tube Racks Test tube…
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Test Tubes: Uses, Features, and Types
What is Test Tube? A test tube is a small, cylindrical glass or plastic container with a rounded bottom and an open top. They come in different sizes, but most are 10 to 20 cm long and 1 to 2 cm wide—just the right size for holding small amounts of substances in the lab! Important…
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Tips and Tricks for Finding Oxidation Numbers
The oxidation number (or oxidation state) is used to describe the positive or negative nature of an atom. When an atom loses electrons, it acquires a positive oxidation number. Conversely, when an atom gains electrons, it acquires a negative oxidation number. From time to time, you may be required to calculate the oxidation number of…
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Why Some Elements Have the Same Number of Neutrons
When you look at the number of neutrons of elements in the periodic table, you will quickly notice that there are elements that have the same number of neutrons but different atomic numbers. These elements are called isotones. There are several factors that explain why isotones share the same neutron count despite being different elements:…
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The Contribution of Dmitri Mendeleev to the Periodic Table
Dmitri Ivanovich Mendeleev, a Russian chemist and inventor, is best known for his revolutionary contribution to the periodic table of elements. His work laid the foundation for modern chemistry and significantly influenced how scientists understand the relationships between elements. Mendeleev’s periodic table not only provided a systematic arrangement of known elements but also predicted the…
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Difference between Relative Atomic Mass and Mass Number
Mass Number The mass number of an atom indicates how heavy it is. Since protons and neutrons make up most of an atom’s mass, their total number determines its overall mass. The mass of electrons is negligible in comparison and is usually ignored. Thus, the mass number of an atom is the sum of its…
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Volumetric Flasks: Types, Sizes, Uses, Accuracy, & Safety
Volumetric flasks are essential laboratory glassware designed for precise measurement and preparation of liquid solutions. Recognizable by their pear-shaped body and long, narrow neck, these flasks are calibrated to hold a specific volume with a high degree of accuracy. They are commonly used in analytical chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and research laboratories for tasks such as preparing…