All scientific experiments need instruments. Chemistry instruments are broadly classified as either qualitative or quantitative. General chemistry qualitative instruments like test tube or beaker are used to observe chemical reactions, for heating, or for separating mixtures etc. Simple quantitative instruments like measuring cylinder or burette are used to measure volume of solutions. Advanced qualitative chemistry instruments like Mass Spectrometer (質譜儀, Fig. 2) or advanced quantitative instruments such as Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (原子吸光光譜儀, Fig. 3) are all used in university or research studies.
(Fig. 2) Mass spectrometer (質譜儀)
(Fig. 3) Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (原子吸光光譜儀)
Summary of commonly used qualitative and quantitative school chemistry instruments:
| Qualitative instrument/reagent | Quantitative instrument | ||
| Name | Usage | Name | Usage |
| Test tube | To contain solution or solid and observe chemical reactions | Measuring cylinder | For measuring volume of solutions |
| Beaker | Mainly used for heating/observation | Dropper | For transferring solutions by drops |
| Conical flask | Mainly used for swirling/stirring/observation | Pipette | For transferring a fixed volume of solutions |
| Separating funnel | To separate insoluble liquids from liquid mixtures | Burette | For titration experiments/transferring a pre-determined fixed volume of solutions |
| Filter paper | To separate solutes from solutions | Syringe | For measuring volume of liquid or gas |
| Distillation apparatus | To separate solvents/solutes from solutions | Stop-watch | For taking time, usually used for rate experiments |
| Crucible | For extremely high temperature reactions/melting | Thermometer | For measuring temperature under various conditions |
| Chromatography apparatus | To separate individual components from a mixture of coloured or colourless substances | pH meter | For measuring pH values of solutions or substances |
| Electrolysis apparatus | To chemically decompose electrolytic solutions using DC current | Conductance meter | For quantitative measurement of conductance of conducting solutions or substances |
| Indicator | For imparting distinct colour with specific substances | Colorimeter | For quantitative measurement of concentration of coloured solutions |
| Bunsen burner | For gentle or strong heating | Melting point apparatus | For determining the melting points of organic derivatives or solids |