Laboratory Mortar and Pestle

In solid-state chemistry, a mortar and pestle are often used to prepare reactants for a solid-state synthesis (the ceramic method).

A mortar and pestle are used to grind up solid chemicals into a fine powder and crush solids into smaller pieces. The mortar’s interior is unglazed for more effective grinding. The rims have integrated pouring spouts.

The mortar is a bowl, typically made of hardwood, ceramic, or stone. The pestle is a heavy and blunt club-shaped object, the end of which is used for crushing and grinding. The substance to be ground is placed in the mortar and ground, crushed or mixed using a pestle.