What is the main purpose of a laboratory?

The main purpose of a laboratory is to conduct experiments. Laboratories are specifically designed environments where scientific research and experimentation can occur. They provide controlled conditions that allow scientists and researchers to manipulate variables, observe phenomena, and gather data in a systematic way.

By having specialized equipment, tools, and safety protocols in place, laboratories enable the testing of hypotheses, analysis of materials, and validation of theories through empirical evidence. This hands-on approach is crucial in fields such as chemistry, biology, physics, and engineering, where experimentation is essential to advancing knowledge and understanding.

The other options do not align with the primary function of a laboratory. Measuring time, providing theoretical knowledge, and training animals may occur in various settings but do not encompass the overarching role of a laboratory itself, which is centered on experimentation and the scientific method.