How To Transfer Chemicals

Solids

Figure 1: The transfer of a large amount of solid.

Figure 2: The transfer of a small amount of solid.

Figure 3: Using a piece of weighing paper to transfer a solid.

It is usually easier to transfer solids to a wide mouthed container such as a beaker. Take a labeled beaker to the reagent shelf where the chemicals are kept. When you take the top off the reagent bottle, don't lay it down (risks contamination). Many solid chemicals can be easily transferred by tipping the bottle and slowly rotating the bottle back and forth. Don't tip the bottle up high and let the contents pour out. If a spatula is provided at the reagent bottle, you may use it. Never use your own spatula. Be sure to put the right lid on the right bottle and return the bottle to its place on the shelf.

Liquid Transfer

Take an appropriately sized, labeled beaker to the reagent shelf. The stopper of the reagent bottle should be held during transfer or, if it is flat, placed upside down on the counter. Carefully pour the amount of reagent that you will need, not extra, into the beaker and then close the reagent bottle. Graduated cylinders are unstable so transfer liquids into the labeled beaker first and then pour from the beaker into your graduated cylinder. It is a good idea to make this latter transfer over a sink.

Figure 4: Pouring a liquid or a solution from a glass-stoppered bottle.

Always return the stopper to the bottle and the bottle to the reagent shelf. Never put your dropper or pipet into a reagent bottle. If the reagent bottle is equipped with a dropper, use that dropper, being careful not to touch the walls or contents of your receiving vessel with the dropper.