Laboratory Equipment Distributors Key Terms

Learn about common terms related to laboratory equipment distributors

Science is a vast field from a business perspective. It is also a very dynamic field, with new developments happening almost every day, and there is a huge demand for laboratory equipment. Hence, the business of laboratory equipment carries a tremendous sales potential for lab equipment manufacturers and distributors. In particular, pharmaceutical companies have large R&D departments and are in constant need of apparatus for their laboratories, making the lab equipment supply a thriving business. If you want to establish yourself as a lab equipment distributor or buy lab equipment, you will need to understand common terms associated with this business. This guide covers some of the common terms, such as bunsen burner, compound microscope and calorimeter.      

 

Compound microscope

A compound microscope is an important instrument in a biological laboratory. It enables the viewer to see the specimens under very high magnification. A compound microscope is an indispensable instrument, especially for microbiological studies.
Try: You can read through basic information on compound microscopes at ACCU-SCOPE, a manufacturer of microscopes.

Stereo microscope

A stereo microscope, also called a zoom stereo microscope or dissecting microscope, is slightly different from a compound microscope. Unlike the compound microscope, it offers a three-dimensional view. This is because it has two separate axes. Stereo microscopes produce less magnification than compound microscopes.
Try: Learn about stereo microscopes at Martin Microscope Company, a manufacturer of microscopes.

Bunsen burner

A bunsen burner is a heating device. Scientists use this burner to heat a variety of substances in a laboratory. A bunsen burner has a knob at the bottom that controls the flame by adjusting the flow of gas and air in the tube of the burner.
Try: You can read a definition and description of bunsen burners at wiseGEEK, an online information source.

Gas centrifuge

A gas centrifuge is a uranium-enriching instrument that works on the principle of centrifugal force. This instrument consists of a vacuum casing with a rotor that rotates at enormous speed, creating a huge centrifugal force that separates heavier and lighter uranium isotopes.
Try: You can read through information on the operation of a gas centrifuge at the Institute for Science and International Security.

Spectrophotometer

As the name suggests, a spectrophotometer consists of two instruments: a spectrometer and a photometer. A spectrometer produces light of the desired frequency, and a photometer measures the intensity of light. Thus, a spectrophotometer measures the change in the intensity of light when light passes through different media.
Try: You can read through technical information on spectrophotometer at Rice University.

Calorimeter

A calorimeter is a useful instrument in a chemistry lab. Some chemical reactions are endothermic, while some are exothermic. In other words, some reactions absorb heat and some release heat. Scientists use calorimeters to measure the heat absorbed or released during a chemical reaction.
Try: You can learn about the operation of a calorimeter at Dartmouth College.  

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