What are the examples of improvised apparatus?

Answer 1

Scientific research, measuring and experiments are carried out in a controlled environment called a laboratory or lab for short. Chances are that we've all been inside a lab at least once in our lives. Either for education or as a hobby, I think you'll agree that chemistry is truly an interesting branch of science.

With cooking, a chef needs various knives, pans and other tools to cook his "Piece de resistance". Painters need different brushes and paints to create their masterpieces. This is also the same for scientists at laboratories. Laboratory apparatus are different tools and equipment used by scientists to perform their tasks.

The basic types of laboratory apparatus are the glassware, the stands, burners and evaporation equipment. Depending on the experiments and research done in a lab, there could be more equipment. Laboratory apparatus like the beaker, test tubes and flasks fall under glassware lab equipment. These are often used for containing, measuring and observing of liquid chemicals or compounds used in an experiment.

The specific ones that can be used for storing are test tubes with corks or stoppers and glass reagent bottles. Others like the graduated cylinder, graduated beakers and flasks are used to measure liquids. If a liquid needs to be transferred from one vessel to another, the graduated glass pipette, graduated cylinder or a graduated glass dropper can be used depending on the amount of liquid.

Other laboratory apparatus falling under the category of glassware can be used like pans over a lab burner. The evaporating dish for example is a circular piece of glass, sort of like a giant clear contact lens used to evaporate chemicals. A similar looking laboratory apparatus is the Petri dish, often used by biologists to culture cells. The flat-bottomed Erlenmeyer flask was also designed for heating liquids over a burner. The gradual narrowing of the neck is designed to keep more heat from the burner.

Stands and clamps are tools used to hold and stabilize other laboratory apparatus. Examples are the test tube rack, test tube holder and the tripod. A stand and clamp is often used with a flask glass bottom or a test tube. Because the bases of these are curved, the stand and clamp is used to achieve a stable upright position. The tripod is often used with a burner under it.

Bunsen burners are heating devises that function as little stoves in the lab. These are used to provide concentrated heat to evaporate or heat certain liquid solid chemicals. Bunsen burners are fueled by gas often supplied by a gas line installed inside the lab. Modern electronic hot plates can also be used for heating. Some electronic hot plates have curved bases that mold with the shape of a round bottom flask. This not only reduces the risk for spillage, it also rids scientists of gas leak worries.

These are only some of the myriads of laboratory apparatus used in by scientists today. The various fields of science are wide and complex. Knowing the basic laboratory apparatus and their uses is just the tip of the iceberg.

Answer 2

A hearing-aid guard and tapeless wrapping paper are examples of improvised inventions in Physics. A bus-stop night light is another example of improvised inventions.

Answer 3

Improvised hand microtome.