A desiccator is a glass or plastic container that can be sealed in which a small amount of desiccant material is placed in the bottom. A level platform sits above the desiccant. Scientists store chemicals and allow items to cool in the desiccator.
Function
Heated samples and beakers, or weighing dish, are cooled in a desiccator to prevent the sample or beaker from gathering moisture as it cools. The interior of the desiccator is dry due to the desiccant at the bottom and because it is sealed to keep outside, moist air from getting inside.
Benefits
If a sample is allowed to cool in the open air of the laboratory, it will absorb water from the air. If you need to make precise weight measurements, this added water weight will give an incorrect measurement. Weighing the sample while it is hot also will cause inaccurate measurements because as the sample cools, the weight fluctuates. This fluctuation may be slight, but it can still throw off the results.
Other Uses
Hydrophilic chemicals, or ones that easily absorb water, are always stored in a desiccator. This keeps the chemicals dry and makes them last longer.
References
About the Author
Based in Portland, Ore., Tammie Painter has been writing garden, fitness, science and travel articles since 2008. Her articles have appeared in magazines such as "Herb Companion" and "Northwest Travel" and she is the author of six books. Painter earned her Bachelor of Science in biology from Portland State University.
Photo Credits
Beaker With Blue Liquid image by explicitly from Fotolia.com