Selina Concise Solutions for ICSE Class 6 Chemistry Chapter 2 Common Laboratory Apparatus and Equipments

Points To Remember

1. Chemistry is an experimental science.

2. A chemical laboratory is a place to perform experiments and to observe chemical processes.

3. Knowledge of chemistry is based on experiment and observation.

4. A chemical laboratory is a place to perform chemical experiments.

5. Various kinds of apparatus and equipments are required to perform experiments.

6. Necessary precautions should be taken while performing experiments.

7. Maintain silence and discipline in the laboratory and concentrate on your experiment.

Exercise

Question 1: Mention one use of each of the following equipments
(a) Spirit lamp
(b) Test tube
(c) Conical flask
(d) Evaporating dish
(e) Wire gauze
(f) Beaker
(g) Mortar and pestle
(h) Measuring cylinder
(i) Glass tube
(j) Gas jar
(k) Reagent bottle.

Answer:
(a) Spirit lamp is used to heat up substances.
(b) Test tube is used to conduct tests with small quantities of chemicals for heating and boiling purposes.
(c) Conical flask to hold sufficient quantities of substance in the form of solution.
(d) Evaporating dish is used for evaporating liquids.
(e) Wire gauze is used to keep glass apparatus (flask, beaker) on while heating is in progress. It is also used for uniform distribution of heat.
(f) Beaker is used for keeping of solutions.
(g) Morter and pestle is used to grind and crush solid substances into a pov
(h) Measuring cylinder is used to measure the volume of (mainly) liquid substances.
(i) Glass tube is used to transfer fluids or gases from one vessel to another.
(j) Gas jar is used for collecting gases and holding them in captivity vaccum.
(k) Reagent bottle is used for storing chemicals.
Each piece of equipment is specially designed to handle chemical reactions safely and accurately. Using the correct apparatus ensures that experiments are successful and that chemicals do not spill or react unexpectedly.
Teacher's Tip: Remember "Conical" starts with 'C' just like 'Container' for solutions.
Exam Tip: When describing a test tube's use, always specify that it is for "small quantities" of chemicals to get full marks.

Question 2: From what materials are the following made up of?
(a) Test tube rack
(b) Test tube holder
(c) Measuring cylinder
(d) Wire gauze
(e) Mortar and pestle

Answer:
(a) Test tube rack is made up of wood or plastic.
(b) Test tube holder is made up of a iron clamp at front and wood or plastic handle at other end.
(c) Measuring cylinder is made of glass.
(d) Wire gauze is made of meshed iron wire and a thin asbestos sheet that is fixed at its centre.
(e) Morter and pestle is made of porcelain.
The materials used for laboratory equipment are chosen because they are durable and resistant to chemicals or heat. For example, wood handles on holders protect your hands from getting burned during heating.
Teacher's Tip: Think of "P" for Porcelain and "P" for Pestle to remember the material easily.
Exam Tip: Be specific about the parts, like mentioning the "iron clamp" and "wooden handle" for the test tube holder.

Question 3: List any five precautions taken care of while performing an experiment in a chemistry laboratory.

Answer:
Five precautions to be taken in laboratory are :
1. Do not touch or taste any unknown substance.
2. Use only small quantity of chemical to carry out experiment.
3. Do not work alone in the laboratory.
4. Do not throw hot concentrated acids into the sink directly.
5. Always wear an apron in the laboratory to protect your clothes.
6. While heating keep the mouth of test tube away from your eyes and face.
7. The apparatus to be used in an experiment should be arranged neatly before beginning an experiment.
8. Do not throw broken glass apparatus or used filter paper in the sink. Throw them in a dustbin.
Laboratory safety is the most important part of any science experiment to prevent injuries. Following these rules helps maintain a clean workspace and ensures that no harmful chemicals accidentally harm you or others.
Teacher's Tip: Never taste anything in a lab, treat it like a kitchen with "danger" signs on every ingredient.
Exam Tip: If asked for five precautions, always number them 1 to 5 clearly to help the examiner read your answer quickly.

Question 4: Answer the following questions in brief:
(a) Why is chemistry known as an experimental science?
(b) Why are most apparatus made of glass?

Answer:
(a) Chemistry is known as experimental science as an experiment is performed under controlled conditions in an activity and we observe a natural or an artificially created phenomenon.
(b) Most of the laboratory apparatus is made of glass because:
1. glass is easy to clean.
2. Glass is transparent material and we can see through it clearly.
3. It does not react with most of the chemicals used in experiments.
4. Glass withstands high temperatures.
5. Pyrex glass or borosil glass is a special type of glass which hardly expands on heating. Such glasses do not break even at high temperatures.
Chemistry relies on doing things practically to prove theories through visible results. Glass is the best material for these experiments because it is see-through and doesn't get ruined by most acidic or basic chemicals.
Teacher's Tip: Glass is transparent, so it allows you to see the "pass" (reaction) happening inside.
Exam Tip: For the reason why glass is used, try to list at least three distinct properties like "easy to clean," "transparent," and "non-reactive."

Question 5: Label the marked equipments in the diagram given below.

Answer:
1. Glass tube (delivery tube)
2. Flask (round bottomed)
3. Wire gauze
4. Burner
5. Tripod (stand)
6. Gas jar
7. Water trough
8. Water
This diagram shows a standard setup used for heating a substance to produce and collect a gas over water. Each part must be correctly placed so the gas travels safely from the flask into the collecting jar.
Teacher's Tip: The "Tripod" has 3 legs, just like a "tri"-cycle has 3 wheels.
Exam Tip: When labeling diagrams, always draw straight horizontal lines to the right of the image for a neat presentation.

Objective Type Questions

Question 1: Fill in the blanks:
(a) Experiment and observation are the two important basics of chemistry.
(b) A porcelain dish is used for evaporation.
(c) A test tube holder is used to hold the test tube while-it is heated.
(d) Mortar and pestle is used for grinding and crushing solid substances into a powder.
(e) Glass apparatus is made of Pyrex or borosil glass.

Question 2: Match the words in Column A with their respective functions in Column B.

Column A
(a) Iron stand
(b) Test tube
(c) Funnel
(d) Beaker
(e) Glass rod

Column B
(i) To boil chemicals
(ii) To keep solution
(iii) To stir the solution
(iv) To support apparatus
(v) To transfer the liquids

Answer:
(a) Iron stand - (iv) To support apparatus
(b) Test tube - (i) To boil chemicals
(c) Funnel - (v) To transfer the liquids
(d) Beaker - (ii) To keep solution
(e) Glass rod - (iii) To stir the solution
These laboratory tools are specifically designed to handle chemicals safely while conducting scientific experiments. Understanding their individual functions helps prevent laboratory accidents and ensures precise measurement and mixing during every step.
Teacher's Tip: Think of the Iron stand as a "helper hand" that holds heavy lab equipment in place for you.
Exam Tip: For matching questions, always write the correct pair side-by-side instead of just letters to ensure the examiner can read your answer easily.

Question 3: Choose the correct alternative from the options given for each of the following statements.

(a) The evaporating dish is made of
1. porcelain
2. glass
3. metal
4. plastic
Answer: 1. porcelain

(b) The spirit lamp is made of
1. glass
2. brass
3. steel
4. all of the above
Answer: 1. glass

(c) The apparatus to measure an accurate volume of liquid, is
1. beaker
2. conical flask
3. measuring cylinder
4. test tube
Answer: 3. measuring cylinder

(d) To pass a gas from one vessel to another, you will use
1. gas jar
2. delivery tube
3. glass rod
4. test tube
Answer: 2. delivery tube

(e) To prevent the escape of a gas from a gas jar, you will cover its mouth with
1. watch glass
2. crucible
3. beaker
4. round bottom flask
Answer: 1. watch glass

Question 4: Write true or false against the following statements and correct the false ones.
(a) A glass funnel is used to pour off liquids.
(b) A test tube is used to test liquid chemicals.
(c) A mortar and pestle is used for evaporation.
(d) A glass rod is used to stir solutions.
(e) A round-bottom flask is used to store chemicals.

Answer:
(a) True
(b) False
Correct: A test tube is used to test chemicals and for heating and boiling purposes.
(c) False
Correct: Mortar and pestle is used to grind and crush solid substances into powder.
(d) True
(e) False
Correct: A REAGENT bottle is used to store chemicals.
True and False questions help identify the specific job each tool does so you don't use the wrong one during a lab session. For example, knowing that a reagent bottle is for storage while a flask is for reactions prevents accidents.
Teacher's Tip: "Stir" ends with 'r' just like "Rod" starts with 'r'.
Exam Tip: When a statement is false, you must rewrite the "Correct" version to ensure you receive full points.