Functions:

1. Precise Temperature Control: Provides accurate and consistent heating of fluids, essential for experiments and processes that require specific temperatures.

2. Circulation System: Ensures uniform temperature distribution by circulating the heating medium (water or oil) throughout the bath, which helps in achieving consistent heating across the entire bath.

3. Heating Medium: Can use either water or oil as the heating medium, depending on the temperature range required and the nature of the application.

Types:

1. Water Baths:

   • Temperature Range: Typically used for temperatures up to around 100°C to 200°C, depending on the design.
   • Applications: Common in biological and chemical laboratories for heating samples, incubating cultures, and performing reactions that require moderate heating.

2. Oil Baths:

   • Temperature Range: Suitable for higher temperatures, usually from 100°C up to 300°C or more, depending on the type of oil used and the bath’s design.
   • Applications: Ideal for applications requiring higher temperatures or when the sample is sensitive to water, such as certain chemical reactions or distillations.