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1. The scientific method
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3.2.
Laboratory work
Many of the materials in a laboratory can be dangerous, so we need to follow
safety rules
to work there.
3.2.1.
Basic laboratory equipment
In the laboratory there is a lot of specific equipment and instruments.
A
laboratory
is a room or building that has the equipment and instruments
needed to conduct experiments.
General rules
Rules for using instruments and products
❚
No eating or drinking in the laboratory.
❚
Use a lab coat to protect your clothes.
❚
Put away all personal belongings. Never leave them on the
work table.
❚
Do not wear scarfs or any other item that can restrict or
make movement difficult.
❚
Avoid unnecessary movement in the laboratory.
❚
Always have clean, dry hands.
❚
Never ingest
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any product from the laboratory.
❚
In the case of an accident tell the teacher immediately.
❚
Before using any compounds read the label carefully to make
sure it is the right one.
❚
Read the warning symbols on the label of products.
❚
Never use any material or apparatus without knowing how it
works and the safety rules.
❚
Handle fragile objects carefully.
❚
Tell your teacher if anything is broken or doesn’t work.
❚
If you spill a product on yourself, tell your teacher and wash
the area with lots of water.
❚
Never refill containers with used products.
❚
If in doubt, ask your teacher.
Key concepts
❚
Before carrying out research
we should plan the materials
and the steps.
❚
In laboratory work we have
to follow safety rules.
Instruments to measure temperature, size and weight
Instruments to measure volume
thermometers
rulers
scales
flask
pipet
burette
graduated cylinder
Understand
4.
Explain the difference between fieldwork and laboratory work. Which
do you think produces fewer errors? Explain your answer.
5.
Find out about these laboratory instruments. Draw them and write
what they are used for.
test tube
•
beaker
•
petri dish
•
microscope
•
magnifying glass
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ingest
:
to swallow or absorb
food, drink or other substances
into the body
