Chemistry Lab and Safety Quiz

What personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn in the laboratory at all times?

Safety goggles and a laboratory apron must be worn in the laboratory at all times, including during cleanup.

What are the clothing and footwear requirements for working in the lab?

Remember F-O-O-T:

 Footwear: Close-toed shoes only (no sandals)

 Overly bulky or loose clothing avoided

 Out of the way: Roll up loose sleeves and pin/tie back long hair

 Take off dangling jewelry

What are the rules regarding food, drinks, and personal habits in the lab?

Do not chew gum, eat, or drink in the laboratory. Never taste any chemicals, and keep your hands away from your face, mouth, nose, and eyes when working with chemicals.

What should you do before starting and while conducting an experiment?

Remember P-L-A-N:

 Present teacher required before conducting assigned experiments

 Labels checked twice (before and after removing chemicals)

 All directions read completely before proceeding

 Next step reread right before performing it

How should unused chemicals and lab equipment be handled to prevent contamination?

Clean up spills and broken glass immediately, and leave your work area clean at the end of the lab session. Wash your hands with soap and water after each experiment. Never return unused chemicals to a reagent bottle, and do not insert pipets, spatulas, or droppers into reagent bottles (pour a small amount into a clean beaker instead).

How should acids or bases be safely mixed or diluted with water?

Always add acid or base slowly to water while stirring (Always Add Acid - AAA). Never pour water into concentrated acid, as the heat generated can cause the mixture to boil and spatter corrosive chemicals or crack non-Pyrex containers.

What is the correct way to heat liquids in a test tube or use a burner/hot plate?

When heating liquid in a test tube, turn the mouth of the tube away from yourself and others. Only Pyrex test tubes can be heated. Never leave a lighted burner unattended. Use a hot plate instead of an open flame whenever flammable chemicals (designated by the symbol F) are present.

How should you safely smell/detect an odor from a chemical in the lab?

Use your hand to waft some of the gas toward your nose and sniff gently instead of taking a deep breath to minimize the amount of gas sampled.

What is the safe technique for inserting glass tubing or thermometers into rubber stoppers?

Prevent cuts by lubricating the hole with glycerol or water. Do not grip the glass directly with bare hands; use paper towels for protection and move the tube smoothly into the stopper using a gentle twisting motion. (Note: Glycerol should not be used around powerful oxidizers like sulfuric/nitric acids, dichromates, or permanganates).

What do the safety code letters C, I, F, and T stand for in lab materials?

C: Corrosive (causes severe chemical burns)

 I: Irritant (irritates skin, eyes, nose, throat, or lungs)

 F: Flammable (catches fire easily)

 T: Toxic / Poisonous (toxic if ingested, touched, or inhaled)

What precautions should be taken for each specific safety symbol?

Remember S-A-F-E-T-Y-C-A-R-E:

 Safety goggles worn for Eye Hazard

 Apron and goggles worn, no chemical contact for Corrosive Hazard

 Fire Hazard: Tie back hair/clothing, no burners near flammables

 Eat/drink/gum forbidden, hands off face for Poison Hazard

 Take care with equipment for Electrical Hazard

 Yield to no-inhalation rule for Inhalation Hazard

 Cool equipment only; avoid touching hot items for Thermal Burn Hazard

 Avoid chipped glass; don't heat bottom of tube for Breakage Hazard

 Refrain from improper disposal; follow directions for Disposal Hazard

 Exclusively use calibrated/sealed sources for Radiation Hazard

What general action must be taken immediately whenever an injury, accident, or chemical spill occurs?

Report all accidents, spills, or injuries to your teacher immediately, no matter how slight. Know the locations of the eyewash fountain, fire extinguisher, fire blanket, emergency shower, and local Poison Control number.

What is the correct response for thermal burns or touching hot objects?

Immediately flush the area with cold running water for several minutes until the burning sensation subsides. Do not apply greases or oils (they trap heat). Seek medical assistance for serious burns.

What should you do if chemicals splash into your eyes or onto your skin?

Eye Injury: Immediately flush the eye with a continuous flow of running water at the eyewash station for 20 minutes. If wearing contact lenses, remove them immediately (especially crucial for acids/bases). Do not rub the eye.

 Skin Contact/Chemical Burns: Wash affected skin with water for several minutes. For minor cuts, allow to bleed briefly and wash with soap and water.

How should a fire be handled if hair/clothing catches fire versus a benchtop fire?

 Hair/Clothing Fire: Do not run. Drop to the floor and roll to smother flames, or use a fire blanket/emergency shower.

 Bench Fire: Turn off gas outlets and unplug appliances. Small container fires can be smothered with a damp cloth or nonflammable cover. For fire extinguishers: Aim at the base of the fire (use carbon dioxide for electrical/flammable liquids, or ABC powder). Never spray a fire extinguisher directly into a person's face. If the fire cannot be put out quickly, crawl low under smoke and leave the room.

What are the emergency steps for fainting or toxic chemical exposure/poisoning?

 Fainting: Move the person to fresh air (open a window) and position them so their head is lower than the rest of their body. Use artificial resuscitation if breathing stops.

 Poisoning: Note what substance was responsible and alert the teacher immediately.

Basic Lab Equipment Identification & Functions

What are the names and primary functions of standard lab equipment?

 B-E-A-K-E-R: Glass container for large liquid volumes (250/400/600 mL)

 B-U-N-S-E-N: Metal burner with rubber tubing used as heat source

 C-L-A-Y: Triangle wire frame with porcelain to support a crucible

 C-R-U-C-I-B-L-E: Small porcelain container/cover to heat solids

 D-I-S-H: Evaporating porcelain dish for evaporating small liquids

 F-L-A-S-K: Glass container for mixing solutions/liquids (250 mL)

 F-U-N-N-E-L: Glass/plastic cone to transfer liquids

 G-O-G-G-L-E-S: Mandatory plastic eye protection

 G-R-A-D-U-A-T-E-D: Cylinder for precise liquid volumes (10/50/100 mL)

 R-I-N-G: Stand & clamp used as metal support base

 S-T-I-R-R-I-N-G: Glass rod to mix and assist pouring

 T-E-S-T-T-U-B-E: Glass tubes for small samples (Pyrex only for heating)

 T-U-B-E-T-O-O-L-S: Clamp, holder, rack, and brush for securing & cleaning test tubes

 T-H-E-R-M-O-M-E-T-E-R: Glass tube with liquid to measure temp

 T-O-N-G-S: Metal tool to pick up small/hot items

 W-A-T-C-H: Glass cover for evaporating dish or beaker

 W-A-T-E-R: Plastic bottle for distilled water

 W-I-R-E: Screen base to support glassware while heating