CHEM 1701 – Lab 1 – Safety, Materials and Measurement

Chemistry I for Pre-Health Sciences – Fall 2020

____/30 marks (6% of final grade)

Rationale
The purpose of this lab is to become familiar with lab safety protocol and procedures, lab equipment
and glassware and proper lab techniques for measuring and weighing materials.

Learning objectives
The following learning objectives are covered in this lab.
 CLO 6: Prepare for and conduct laboratory experiments to investigate scientific questions
using appropriate techniques.

Procedure & Observations

 Be sure to review the lab in its entirety before beginning.

Handing in your lab

When complete, submit your work to the appropriate folder in DC Connect under Assignments.

Other notes
 Make sure all answers are in full sentences using appropriate scientific terminology.
 A maximum 10% penalty may be applied for spelling, grammar and mechanics.
 Note how many marks are associated with a question and use that as a guide when structuring
your response.

Materials needed for this lab:

 Internet connection (to watch videos and access websites)

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Part 1 – Lab Safety [13 marks]
Discovery question: Labs can be fun and exciting places. Labs are a place to experiment, practice inquiry
skills and have fun! However, before you can have fun in a lab, you have to be safe in a lab. Safety is the
number one priority of all people, at all times, when working in a lab environment. What are some of the key
safety techniques and guidelines in a science lab?

INSTRUCTIONS
Watch this safety video (about 9 minutes long). You’ll have a chuckle watching it and learn something
in the process. You can click on the video below or access the video through this link:
https://youtu.be/VRWRmIEHr3A.

APPLICATION
While watching the video, answer the questions below in the space provided. Show all work and
answer in full sentences where required.

QUESTIONS

1) [4 marks] Make notes on the safety protocol about each of the following.

Safety item Safety protocol

Always tie up long hair to prevent it from catching on fire or
Hair
knocking things over in the lab.
Never wear open toed shoes such as sandals. Always wear
Footwear
close toed shoes and socks.
Must wear clothing that completely covers your body such as
Clothing
long pants and long sleeves.

Food and drink Never drink or eat in the lab.

CHEM1701 – Lab 1 Page 2 of 10

2) [1 mark] True or False: Glasses are a good substitute for safety googles in a lab.

3) [2 marks] What does MSDS (SDS) stand for? What does a MSDS (SDS) tell you?

MSDS stands for Material Safety Data Sheet which is a document that contains information
on potential hazards such as the reactivity of a chemical and how to work safely with the
chemical product.

4) [1 mark] What is a fume hood used for?

A fume hood is a type of local ventilation device that is designed to limit exposure to
hazardous or toxic fumes, vapors or dusts.

5) [1 mark] A fume hood contains a “sash”. What is a “sash”?

The sash is the front window or shield of a fume hood that slides open and close to provide
both containment and protection from hazardous materials.

6) [1 mark] Briefly describe the appropriate, safe way to smell something in a lab.

The appropriate way to smell something within the lab is to waft it towards your nose

7) [1 mark] What is the protocol for cleaning up broken glassware in a lab?

The proper way to dispose of broken glass is to sweep it up with a broom and a dust pan
and deposit the broken glass in a bin specifically for sharp things

8) [1 mark] True or False: Sinks in labs are designed specifically for you to dump anything, anytime down the
drain. There is no need to separate reagents. False, All chemical waste must be properly disposed of. For
some chemicals such as acids and bases can be thrown in the sink because when they are diluted all
that’s left are ions that are already present In the sewage system. However, for other chemicals flushing is
not a good idea because it can harm the environment, therefore they must be disposed of in a laboratory
waste bin. Different solvents and reagents must be disposed of differently because they could end up
reacting together.

9) [1 mark] Complete this tip from the video.

“Always know the right way to dispose of something before you even start to use it”.

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Part 2 – Lab Equipment & Glassware [10 marks]
Discovery question: Just like a kitchen contains a variety of equipment to perform tasks (mixer, cutlery, pots
and pans etc.), labs contain a variety of equipment to perform experiments. Knowing the proper names and
function of lab equipment will help you work more efficiently and safely in a lab. What are some of the most
common pieces of lab equipment and glassware?

STEP 1: Learn It
Review these images of some common chemistry lab equipment and glassware. Two images are
provided so you get a more comprehensive idea of key lab equipment. While most items have universal
names, you may notice some items have two slightly different names.

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Source: https://sites.google.com/a/hanovernorwichschools.org/hhs-science-skills-handbook/course-standards/lab-
equipment

Source: http://mrforde.blogspot.com/2013/08/review-common-lab-equipment.html
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STEP 2: Watch It [14:41]
This video is a bit dated but it is easy to follow and very comprehensive. The video compares a variety
of lab equipment you will come across in a chemistry lab. The video is embedded below or you can
access it via this link: https://youtu.be/_A3JxpMU63s.

STEP 3: Practice It
To check your knowledge of common lab equipment, try this “quiz”.
https://www.purposegames.com/game/chemistry-lab-equipment-quiz

STEP 4: Apply It
Answer the questions below in the spaces provided.

1) [1 mark] True or False: Beakers are a great tool for accurately measuring volume.
False
2) [1 mark] Another name for an Erlenmeyer flask is:
a. Slanted flask
b. Conical flask
c. Drinking flask
d. Flasky McFlask

3) [1 mark] Why is an Erlenmeyer flask a good glassware choice when performing experiments?

The mouth of the flask is narrow therefore it prevents splashing. Also during an
experiment the reactions can rise and because the sides of the flask are much
narrow it contains the reaction from spilling over.

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 4) [1 mark] True or False: Test tubes contain graduation marks for measuring volumes. False

5) [1 mark] What is the difference between a test tube holder and crucible tongs?

Crucible tongs are to hold something really hot and are not used to pick up test tubes. A
test tube holder is to hold the test tubes upright and in place.

6) [2 marks] Why do you NOT use a scoopula for stirring? What piece of equipment do you use instead?

The scoopula cannot be used to stir because it can react to certain chemicals because it’s
a metal. We use a glass stirring rod because doesn’t react to the chemicals being used.

7) [3 marks] Name each piece of lab equipment shown below. Then, in 1-2 sentences summarize how
each piece of equipment is used in the lab.

Image of lab equipment Name of lab equipment How the equipment is used in the lab

Graduated Cylinders are used to make

Graduated Cylinder fairly accurate liquid volume
measurements.

It is used to heat things. The end of the

hose on the Bunsen Burner gets hooked
Bunsen Burner
up to the gas and afterward use a sparker
to light the Bunsen burner.

The scoopula is used to take powders or

crystals out of a beaker or bottles to
Scoopula
transport them to someplace where they
will be used.

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Part 3 – Recording Liquid Volumes
[5 marks]
BACKGROUND
Students are often surprised at how much measurement and math occurs in
a chemistry lab. There are certain rules to follow when measuring and
recording data in a lab.

STEP 1 – What is a meniscus?

When a liquid fills a vessel, a curvature called a meniscus forms. Accurately

recording the volume of this curvature can be tricky.

STEP 2 – Reading a meniscus

When reading a meniscus, it is important to view the liquid at eye level as shown in the image. When
recording the volume, you focus on the bottom of the meniscus. Record the value where the bottom
of the meniscus falls.

STEP 3 – Apply it

Watch this video (~2 minutes long) to learn how to read a meniscus. As you watch the video, answer
the questions below. You can click on the video below or access the video through this link:
https://youtu.be/QCzaPy_XOqg

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QUESTIONS

1) [1 mark] True or False: It’s okay to read a meniscus from any viewpoint. You can look up or down at it.
False
2) [1 mark] What is the purpose of a burette card?

It is used to achieve maximum precision when measuring the volume of something in an graduated
cylinder.

3) [3 marks] Record the volume shown in each graduated cylinder to 1 decimal place. All volumes are in
mL. [HINT: Consider what volume each graduation mark represents.]

Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3

20.4mL 6.6mL 38mL

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Part 4 – Electronic Balance [2 marks]
Discovery question: Electronic balances are convenient tools for measuring mass. What are the steps to
follow to make sure you use an electronic balance and the chemicals themselves safely and accurately?

INSTRUCTIONS
Watch this video (~1.5 minutes long) to learn how to correctly use an electronic balance. As you watch
the video, answer the questions below. You can click on the video below or access the video through
this link: https://youtu.be/0UymyTJATLc

QUESTIONS

1) [1 mark] After placing a weigh boat on the scale, you zero or tare the scale to set it to zero. What is the
purpose of performing this step?

The purpose of pressing zero on the scale after placing the boat is so that the weight of the boat is
not included into the measurement.

2) [1 mark] True or False: If you place too much of a chemical in a weigh boat, you can just scoop it up
and put it back in the container. False, the source can be contaminated if the chemical is placed back
in.

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