Laboratory Safety and Common Laboratory Apparatus

Vocabulary flashcards covering laboratory safety rules, hazard warning symbols, first aid treatments, common laboratory apparatus and functions, and the parts and operation of a Bunsen burner.

Safety goggles

Protective eyewear that must be worn when handling, mixing, and heating chemicals in the laboratory.

Laboratory evacuation procedure

The standard procedure that must be followed in the event of a fire in the laboratory.

Explosive substance

A substance that will react violently when heated or struck, such as sodium metal and hydrogen peroxide.

Flammable substance

A substance that catches fire easily, such as petrol, kerosene, alcohol, and hydrogen.

Irritant substance

A substance that produces vapours or fumes that irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat, such as phenol and chloroform.

Radioactive substance

A substance that emits harmful radiation, such as plutonium and uranium.

Toxic substance

A substance that is harmful in small doses, such as methanol, potassium cyanide, mercury, carbon monoxide, and chlorine.

Corrosive substance

A substance that will corrode (eat away) other substances, such as sulfuric acid, potassium hydroxide, and calcium oxide.

Biohazardous substance

A poisonous substance of a biological nature, such as medical waste, microorganisms, viruses, and toxins.

First aid for mild burns and scalds

Cooling the affected area with running water for at least 5 minutes, without using very cold water or ice cubes.

Eye wash station

A laboratory safety station used to rinse and clear irritation when a substance enters the eyes, without rubbing them.

First aid for minor cuts or scrapes

Washing the area with mild soap and clean water, dabbing hydrogen peroxide to disinfect, and applying antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Filter funnel

An apparatus used for transferring liquids into containers with a small opening and separating solids from liquids by using filter paper.

Beaker

A container used for containing chemicals, as well as collecting and holding liquids.

Test tube

A tube used for containing small amounts of chemicals, or for mixing or heating solutions or liquids.

Boiling tube

An apparatus used to boil liquids during experiments.

Conical flask

An apparatus used for containing and mixing chemicals and liquids to produce gas when heating is not required.

Evaporating dish

An apparatus used to evaporate the liquid in a solution over a Bunsen burner.

Wire gauze

A piece of apparatus used to spread the heat of a flame and to support beakers being heated by a Bunsen burner.

Tripod stand

A three-legged stand used for supporting apparatus during heating.

Measuring cylinder

A piece of apparatus used to measure volumes of liquids.

Dropper

An apparatus used to add a small volume of liquid, drop by drop.

Glass rod

A rod used to stir chemicals in the laboratory.

Test-tube holder

An apparatus used to hold test tubes.

Cross-sectional diagrams

Clear outline or sectional line drawings used to represent apparatus set-ups instead of 3D drawings.

Robert Bunsen

A great German chemist (1811-1899) who developed the Bunsen burner.

Barrel (Bunsen burner)

The vertical tube of a Bunsen burner that allows air and gas to mix.

Collar (Bunsen burner)

The adjustable ring turned to open or close the air-hole to control the amount of air entering the Bunsen burner.

Air-hole (Bunsen burner)

The opening that allows air to enter the Bunsen burner.

Luminous flame

An unsteady, orange, hot flame produced when the Bunsen burner air-hole is fully closed, which produces soot.

Non-luminous flame

A steady, blue flame produced when the Bunsen burner air-hole is open; it does not produce soot, is hotter than a luminous flame, and is used for heating.