A Liebig condenser, invented by German chemist Justus von Liebig, is a type of laboratory equipment designed to condense vapors into liquid form. While the term "Liebig condenser" is commonly used, there are a few synonyms that can be used interchangeably. These include "water-cooled condenser," "reflux condenser," and "straight-tube condenser." The water-cooled condenser is a general term used for any type of condenser that uses coldwater for cooling. Reflux condensers are often used in distillation and are designed to return condensed liquid back to the reaction flask. Straight-tube condensers, on the other hand, are long glass tubes that use coldwater to condense vapors.