Introducing Science - Laboratory Safety and Fire Triangle

Vocabulary flashcards covering laboratory safety, safety equipment, hazard warning symbols, handling common laboratory accidents, and the fire triangle based on introductory science lecture materials.

Model building

A type of scientific investigation where models are built to represent objects that are too small or too big to see, such as a DNA model or a solar system model.

Laboratory

A suitable place containing different types of equipment and apparatus for conducting scientific experiments.

Safety equipment

Equipment used in the laboratory to protect personal safety when conducting experiments.

Safety goggles

Protective eyewear worn when heating or mixing substances to protect eyes from chemical splashes.

Eye wash bottle

A safety equipment bottle containing distilled water used to wash eyes if chemicals get into them.

Fume cupboard

Laboratory safety equipment used to safely handle experiments involving dangerous, volatile, or harmful gases.

Fire blanket

Safety equipment used to smother small fires or wrap around a person whose clothes have caught fire.

First-aid box

A kit containing medical supplies for providing immediate treatment for minor injuries and laboratory accidents.

Reason for tying up long hair and tucking in ties

A safety rule that prevents hair, school ties, or loose clothes from catching fire during experiments.

Reason for not eating or drinking in the laboratory

A safety rule enforced because food and drinks may be contaminated by chemicals.

Reason for not running or playing in the laboratory

A safety rule enforced because students may break apparatus or knock down chemicals and hurt themselves.

Reason for not pointing test tubes containing boiling liquids towards anyone

A safety rule enforced because the hot liquid inside the test tube may splash out.

Reason for not throwing solid wastes into the sink

A safety rule enforced because solid wastes may block the drain.

Hazard warning symbols

Symbols placed on chemical containers to warn users of the potential dangers of hazardous chemicals.

Flammable

A hazard warning symbol indicating chemicals that catch fire easily and must be kept away from heat and flame.

Corrosive

A hazard warning symbol indicating chemicals that burn skin and eyes; requires safety goggles, protective gloves, and storage in a well-ventilated room.

Explosive

A hazard warning symbol indicating chemicals that may explode; requires keeping away from heat/flame and avoiding physical shock.

Toxic

A hazard warning symbol indicating poisonous chemicals; requires avoiding breathing in vapours, wearing goggles and gloves, and washing hands thoroughly.

Irritant / Harmful

Hazard warning symbols indicating chemicals that cause irritation or harm; requires avoiding vapour inhalation, wearing protective gear, and washing hands.

Action for cuts in the laboratory

Clean the wound with water and apply a dressing to it.

Action for heat burns or chemical burns

Place the affected area under slow running water.

Action for chemical splash in eyes

Wash the eyes with distilled water from an eye wash bottle.

Action for glass breakage

Clean up broken pieces of glass and dispose of them in a broken glass container, not in the general rubbish bin.

Action for gas leakage

Turn off the gas supply and open all windows and doors immediately.

Action for laboratory fires

Keep calm and report to the teacher at once; do not put out the fire by yourself.

Fire triangle

A concept representing the $3$ essential conditions required for a fire to start: fuel, oxygen, and high temperature.

Fuel (Fire triangle)

One of the $3$ conditions of the fire triangle; the combustible material required for a fire to start.

Oxygen (Fire triangle)

One of the $3$ conditions of the fire triangle; the gas required for burning, the removal of which (e.g. covering with an inverted gas jar) causes the fire to go out.

High temperature (Fire triangle)

One of the $3$ conditions of the fire triangle; the heat energy required for a fire to start, the removal of which (e.g. spraying water from a wash bottle) extinguishes the fire.