What is Bench Chemistry?
Bench chemistry is chemistry that is done in the most traditional sense – the scientist mixes and handles chemicals directly, not employing any of the high-tech devices or theoretical approaches that may be associated with the most state-of-the-art aspects of the discipline. The stereotypical image of a scientist in a white lab coat pouring chemicals from one test tube to another is a perfect example of bench chemistry. The term bench chemistry covers many different scientific techniques that are employed in a laboratory. A general rule of thumb is that if it is a chemistry technique that can be easily done at a workbench without a computer doing most of the calculations and analyses, then it is a bench chemistry technique. A few of these techniques include: mixing, separating, measuring (volumetric analysis), weighing (gravimetrics), distilling, flame testing, finding melting points, and titrating. Bench chemistry gets its name from the traditional laboratory workbench. Found in both
