Basic apparatus and their uses

Physics laboratories contain apparatus used in determining measurements, calibration, analysis of variations and precision. The focus of the laboratory's research determines the required apparatus. Instruments range from simple balances and thermometers to advanced lasers and semiconductor equipment.

General Laboratory Equipment

The most basic physics laboratory equipment includes fume hoods, desks, tables, benches and gas, water, and vacuum lines. Safety equipment may include gloves, goggles, and eyewash stations.

Below are some examples of equipment you may find in a physics lab:

A resistor is an electrical component that provides electrical resistance in a circuit. It is used to reduce current flow, adjust signal levels, and to divide voltages.

A voltmeter is an instrument used for measuring electrical potential difference between two points in an electric circuit. 

An ammeter is an instrument used to measure the current, either direct or alternating electric current, in a circuit. Electric currents are measured in amperes (A), hence the name.

A compass is an instrument that shows directions. It has a needle, called a compass rose, which points in North-South direction. The "N" mark on the rose points northward. Compasses often display markings for angles in degrees in addition to the rose. North corresponds to 0°, and the angles increase clockwise i.e. east is 90°, south is 180°, and west is 270°.

A magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field that exerts a force, called magnetic force, which pulls on other ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, and attracts or repels other magnets. It has two poles called North and South pole.

A prism is a transparent optical element with flat, polished surfaces that refract light. At least two of the flat surfaces must have an angle between them. The traditional geometrical shape is that of a triangular prism with a triangular base and rectangular sides. Prisms can be made from any material that is transparent. Typical materials include glass, plastic, and fluorite. It can be used to split light into the colours of the rainbow where each colour has different wavelengths.

A thermometer is a device that measures temperature or change in temperature for a given body. It consists of bulb which contains alcohol which expands with a change in temperature, and visible scale that converts this change into a numerical value.

Spring Balance is used to measure force using Hooke’s law. When force is applied to the spring it extends. Larger the force greater the extension will be. 

The triple beam balance is a measuring instrument that measures mass very precisely. It has a reading error of +/- 0.05 gram. The name refers to the three beams including the middle beam which is the largest size, the front beam which is the medium size, and the far beam which is the smallest size. The middle beam reads in 100-gram increments, the front beam can read from 0 to 10 grams, and the far beam reads in 10-gram increments. It can measure an object's mass directly or find mass by difference for liquid.