Question

In the chemical laboratory, why do scientists use a mortar and pestle?

Answer 1

These things are used to grind solids into a fine powder by crushing them.

Answer 2

A mortar and pestle is often used to grind tablets or other solid substances into a sample of smaller or broken up pieces. It is useful, for example, in breaking up a tablet which is required to be dissolved in a small amount of solvent to form a solution (e.g: in trying to determine the % of iron in iron tablets).