Unit 01: Lab Safety,
Lab Equipment &
Scientific Method
Safety
Symbols
Reactive material could react
when exposed to air and/or
water, or when the material is
disturbed, heated, or
illuminated
A Corrosive material is one which causes damage to
skin, eyes or other parts on the body on contact. The
technical definition is written in terms of
"... destruction, or irreversible damage to living tissue at
the site of contact".
Lab Equipment
Beaker
Beakers hold solids or
liquids that will not release
gases when reacted or
are unlikely to splatter if
stirred or heated.
Beaker Tongs
Beaker tongs are used
to move beakers
containing hot liquids
Erlenmeyer Flask
Erlenmeyer flasks hold
solids or liquids that may
release gases during a
reaction or that are likely to
splatter if stirred or heated.
Florence Flask
Rarely used in first year
chemistry, it is used for the
mixing of chemicals.
Narrow neck prevents
splash exposure.
Graduated Cylinder
A graduated cylinder
is used to measure
volumes of liquids.
Triple Beam Balance
A balance is used to
measure the mass
of solid substances.
Test Tubes
13 x 100 mm test tubes
Ignition
tube
10 x 75 mm test tubes
Test Tube Holder
A test tube holder is
useful for holding a test
tube which is too hot to
handle.
Test Tube Brushes
Test tube brushes are used
to clean test tubes and
graduated cylinders.
Forcing a large brush into a
small test tube will often
break the tube.
Test Tube Racks
Test tube racks are for holding and
organizing test tubes on the
laboratory counter.
After washing flip test tube over on
wooden peg to dry.
Rubber Stoppers
Rubber stoppers are used to
close containers to avoid
spillage or contamination.
Containers should never be
heated when there is a
stopper in place.
Spot Plates
Spot plates are used when
we want to perform many
small scale reactions at one
time.
Glass Stir Rod
A glass rod is used to
manually stir solutions. It
can also be used to transfer
a single drop of a solution.
Scoopula
A scoopula is used
to transfer solid
materials.
Forceps
Forceps (or tweezers) are used to pick up small
objects.
Funnel
A funnel is used to
aid in the transfer
of liquid from one
vessel to another.
Watch Glass
A watch glass is used to
hold a small amount of
solid, such as the product
of a reaction.
Wash Bottle
A wash bottle has a spout
that delivers a wash
solution to a specific area.
Distilled water is the only
liquid that should be used
in a wash bottle.
Weighing Boat
Weighing boats are used to
weigh solids that will be
transferred to another vessel.
Bunsen Burner
Bunsen burners are used for
the heating of nonvolatile
liquids and solids.
Strikers
Strikers are used to light
Bunsen burners.
The flints on strikers are
expensive. Do not operate
the striker repeatedly just to
see the sparks!
Ringstands and their Components
Ringstand
Ringstands are a safe and
convenient way to perform
reactions that require heating
using a Bunsen burner.
Ringstands and their Components
Utility Clamps
Utility clamps are used to
secure test tubes, distillation
columns, and burets to the
ringstand.
Ringstands and their Components
Iron Ring
Iron rings connect to a
ringstand and provide a
stable, elevated platform for
the reaction.
Ringstands and their Components
Wire Gauze
Wire gauze sits on the iron ring
to provide a place to stand a
beaker.
How to properly write up a lab.
Must be on a sheet of paper.
Requirements:
•
•
•
•
•
Name, Title, Date
Objective
Data
Analysis
Conclusion
Labs will be graded using a rubric.
Laboratory Report Format
Title: Start with your name, the title and date
of the lab.
Mrs. Owen
Using the Scientific Method to Solve Problems
8-28-2007
Laboratory Report Format
Objective: Write the objective.
Mrs. Owen
Using the Scientific Method to Solve Problems
8-28-2007
Objective: To make observations. To observe and record
how a system changes over time. To develop a
hypothesis that fits the evidence you collect.
Laboratory Report Format
Data: Follow procedures. A data table may need to be
copied or created.
Mrs. Owen
Using the Scientific Method to Solve Problems
Data:
Part A
First Observations
Coke
Diet Coke
Part B
Experiment One Observations
Similarities
Differences
8-28-2007
Laboratory Report Format
Analysis: Answer the questions, graph data
or show calculations.
Using the Scientific Method to Solve Problems
Analysis:
Sodium bicarbonate solution:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Sodium bicarbonate solution and
raisins:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mrs. Owen
8-28-2007
Solution with acetic acid:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Laboratory Report Format
Conclusion: Answer questions in complete sentences in
paragraph form. Refer back to purpose/objective.
Concisely state findings.
Using the Scientific Method to Solve Problems
Conclusion:
Mrs. Owen
8-28-2007
Scientific Method
• The scientific method is a logical approach
to the solution of scientific problems.
• It uses a systematic method of solving
problems based on experiments and
observations.
Scientific Method
• An observation is the information obtained
through the senses.
• A hypothesis is the proposed explanation
for the observation.
• An experiment is carefully controlled,
repeatable procedure for gathering data to
test a hypothesis.
Scientific Method
• A theory is a thoroughly tested model that
explains why experiments give certain
results. It is possible that a new
experiment could disprove it.
Scientific Method
• A scientific law is a concise statement
that summarizes the results of many
observations and experiments. Laws
describe a natural phenomenon without
explaining it.
Scientific Method
In early summer of 1965, a University of Florida assistant coach
sat down with a team of university physicians and asked them
to determine why so many of his players were being affected
by heat and heat related illnesses.
The researchers — Dr. Robert Cade, Dr. Dana Shires, Dr. H.
James Free and Dr. Alejandro de Quesada — soon
hypothesized two key factors that were causing the Gator
players to ‘wilt’: the fluids and electrolytes the players lost
through sweat were not being replaced, and the large
amounts of carbohydrates the players’ bodies used for energy
were not being replenished.
The researchers then took their observation into the lab, and
scientifically formulated a new, precisely balanced
carbohydrate-electrolyte beverage that would adequately
replace the key components lost by Gator players through
sweating and exercise. They called their concoction
‘Gatorade’
Experimental Groups
• Control Group- the group in an
experiment used as a comparison.
• Test Group- group in which one variable
is changed at a time.
– Variables
• Independent Variable- Variable that stands alone
and continues in the same way. Example: time
• Dependent Variable- Depends on the
independent variable. Example: Solubility