STEM Lab Safety and Procedure

Getting to know your lab equipment

Standard Beaker

Used to hold and pour liquids; Can store for short periods of time

• Beakers can come is various sizes ranging from 25mL to 1000mL

• Do not use beakers to measure liquids

Beaker Tongs

Rubber tipped tongs used to move hot glass

• Be careful with the beaker tongs as they may melt is used on hot metals

Erlenmeyer Flask

Used to hold and store liquids; can be stoppered

• Flasks can come in various sizes ranging from 25mL to 1000mL

• Do not use flasks to measure liquids

Graduated Cylinder

Used to ACCURATELY measure liquid volumes

• Graduated cylinders come in various sizes ranging from 10mL to 1000mL

• Always use graduated cylinders to measure liquids

Test Tubes

Used to hold and store small volumes of liquids

• Test tubes can be stoppered

• Liquids can be stored for short periods of time

Thermometer

Used to measure temperatures

• Measures temperature in Celsius

Test Tube Holder

Used to hold and transfer test tubes

• Use to touch hot test tubes

• When heating test tubes, hold pointing away from people

Test Tube Rack

Used to store test tubes

Multiple Choice

Which piece of glassware would you use to mix 25mL of water and 25mL of acid?

• 100mL Graduated Cylinder

• 100mL Beaker

• Test Tube

• Evaporating Dish

Multiple Choice

A lab procedure calls for you to measure 100mL of water. Which piece of glassware would you use?

• 250mL Graduated Cylinder

• Test Tube

• 400mL Beaker

• 600mL Erlenmeyer Flask

Test Tube Clamp

Used to hold test tubes on a ring stand

• Use the thumb screw to tighten the clamp to the ring stand

• The clamp can be raised or lowered as needed

Ring Stand

Used to hold or clamp chemical glassware in place

• Use a test tube clamp to hold a test tube

• Use an iron ring and wire gauze to heat a beaker

Iron Ring

Used with ring stand to hold beakers

• When heating glass, use wire gauze

• When heating an evaporating dish or crucible, use a clay triangle

Tongs

Used to grasp and lift laboratory glassware while hot

Pipette (Plastic)

Used to measure and transfer small amounts of liquid

• The thin stems are graduated up to 1mL

• Squeeze the bulb to pull liquids into the pipette

Wire Gauze

Used to evenly heat glassware

• Wire Gauze sits on an iron ring over a bunsen burner

• The Wire Gauze contains a ceramic center to dissipate heat

Pipette (Glass)

Used to measure and transfer larger amounts of liquid

• The glass stem is graduated to various amounts

• Use the pump with thumb wheel to pull up and release liquids

Bunsen Burner

Used to heat glassware

• Know where the flame is; it can be hard to see

• Do not reach over the flame

• Turn off the flame when not in use

Multiple Select

When using a bunsen burner, which safety tips should you follow?

Select all that apply.

• Never reach over the flame

• Turn the flame off when not in use

• Always wear proper protective equipment such as goggles

• Keep the flame away from combustible materials

Multiple Select

Which piece of equipment should you use if you wanted to heat a 250mL beaker?

Select all that apply.

• Ring Stand

• Iron RIng

• Wire Gauze

• Glass Stirring Rod

Bunsen Burner Striker

Used to start the Bunsen Burner

• Hold the striker over the active burner so gas is cupped into the striker

• Squeeze the striker to create a spark

Glass Stirring Rod

Used to stir mixtures and reactions

Clay Triangle

Used when heating evaporating dishes or ceramic a crucible

• Clay Triangles sit on an iron ring over a bunsen burner

Ceramic Crucible

Used to purify a sample over a bunsen burner

• Crucibles are typically used with a ceramic lid to prevent spatter

• Heat over low heat to prevent the sample from burning

Evaporating Dish

Used to slowly heat evaporate liquids

• Evaporating dishes are made of porcelain and very fragile

• These can be used to separate solutions

Lab Safety Goggles

Used to protect your eyes during lab investigations

• Regular eye glasses are not impact resistant and can break

• Splash goggles prevent liquids from running down into the eyes

• ALWAYS worn when chemicals are used

Lab Safety Apron

Used to protect your body during lab investigations

• Aprons prevent spatter from getting on clothing

• Some chemicals may stain or damage clothing

Multiple Choice

When should you use goggles in the lab?

• Any time chemicals are in use.

• Only when handeling chemicals other than water

• When handling sharp objects.

• Any time you are in the lab classroom.

Multiple Choice

You are asked to separate a mixture of salt and water by boiling the water away. Which piece of lab equipment should you use?

• Beaker

• Graduated Cylinder

• Evaporating Dish

• Test Tube