Lab Basics: Safety & Equipment Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key lab safety rules and equipment from the lecture notes.

Read the entire lab before starting

Always read the full lab instructions before beginning any procedure.

Neat and organized workspace

Keep the lab desk tidy to prevent spills, accidents, and breakage.

Inform the teacher in emergencies

Tell the teacher about any emergency or issue before proceeding.

Take lab seriously

Approach lab activities with focus; avoid goofing around.

When in doubt, ask the teacher

If you’re unsure about a procedure, ask for clarification.

Safety Goggles

Eye protection worn when using chemicals or fire; stay on during cleanup.

Lab Apron

Protective garment worn to shield clothing from spills.

Heat-resistant gloves

Gloves worn to protect hands when handling hot objects.

Fire extinguisher — PASS

PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep; used to operate a fire extinguisher.

Fire blanket

Barrier used to smother a fire on a person or prevent spread.

Tie hair back

Secure long hair to prevent it from getting near flames or chemicals.

No loose clothing or jewelry

Remove or secure loose items to avoid catching on equipment or flames.

Waft

Gently fan vapors toward your nose when smelling chemicals rather than inhaling directly.

Eye wash

Rinse eyes with water if a chemical splashes into them.

Safety shower

Rinse the body if chemicals contact skin or clothing.

No eating or drinking in lab

Eating/drinking is prohibited in the laboratory.

Do not taste chemicals

Never taste chemicals in the lab.

Gloves when handling toxic chemicals

Wear gloves to protect skin when handling toxic substances.

Dispose of chemicals correctly

Follow proper disposal procedures; ask before pouring down the sink and report spills.

Spill cleanup — tell the teacher

Inform the teacher immediately if a chemical spills.

Hot glass looks the same as cold glass

Do not assume glass is cool; handle with care and PPE.

Special disposal for broken glass

Broken glass must be placed in a designated disposal container, not trash.

Cracked glassware — notify before use

Check glassware for cracks and report to the teacher before using.

Closed-toed shoes and long pants

Wear protective attire in the lab for safety.

Mortar and Pestle

Tool used for grinding solids into a powder.

Watch glass

Used as a lid on a beaker to prevent splattering.

Beaker

Holding, mixing, heating, and measuring liquids (and some solids).

Graduated cylinder

Precise instrument for measuring the volume of liquids.

Erlenmeyer flask

Container for heating liquids; can also measure and hold liquids.

Test tube holder

Holds a test tube when heating; point the open end away from you.

Test tubes

Small glass tubes used for conducting reactions.

Test tube rack

Holds multiple test tubes at once.

Ring stand

Support structure for holding equipment during experiments.

Iron ring

Ring attached to the stand to support items above a flame.

Wire gauze

Support placed on a ring stand to distribute heat evenly.

Hot plate

Electric device used to heat chemicals.

Bunsen burner

Gas-powered flame used for heating; supports heated objects above the flame.

Digital scale

Device that measures mass in grams.

Meter stick

Tool for measuring length in millimeters, centimeters, or meters.

Thermometer

Instrument that measures temperature (°C or °F).

Funnel

Used to transfer liquids into containers with smaller openings.

Beaker tongs

Tool to move and hold a hot beaker safely.

Spatula

Transports solid chemicals from larger to smaller containers.

Pipette

Transfers small, precise volumes of liquid.

Dropper

Transports liquids one drop at a time.