1. Lab Safety
2. Laboratory Apparatus
Laboratory Glassware Infographic
Glassware in the laboratory comes in a range of different shapes and sizes, and is used for a number of purposes. Don’t know your round-bottomed flask from your Florence flask, or your pipettes from your burettes? This graphic has you covered. Below there’s also a little detail on the usage of each.
3. Common Techniques
The Icon of Chemistry
Why is it called the Bunsen Burner?
How to Light a Bunsen Burner
After watching this video, you should be able
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1) to identify the different parts of the Bunsen Burner
2) perform the correct sequence of steps to light a Bunsen Burner
3) distinguish between the different types of flames
Using a Weighing Balance
This might seem trivial, but there are some important considerations! Note the following:
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The groove of the boss (utility clamp) should be facing up to support the clamp.
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The clamp should be positioned with the movable jaw on top and the fixed jaw below to support glassware.
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Do not over-tighten as this might cause the glass to crack.
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The base plate is heavy and makes the retort stand stable. Set up glassware on the same side as the base plate for maximum stability.
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If possible, allow glassware such as test-tubes to rest on top of the base plate for additional stability.
Tips on Securing Glassware
4. Making Observations and Recording Measurements
History of Measurement
Measurement was among one of the first intellectual achievements of early humans. People learned to measure centuries before they learned how to write and it was through measurement that people learned to count. It was also not until somewhat recently (that is, in terms of human history) did people find a need for knowing the time of day.
5. Working with Gases
Effect of temperature on solubility of a gas
Observe how the solubility of carbon dioxide in water changes with temperature.
Why don't whales get the bends, when divers can?
If a diver surfaces too quickly after a dive, they can get the bends, or decompression sickness, causing excruciating pain and sometimes even death. In this Naked Science Scrapbook, find out what causes the bends, why human divers can get it and why (usually) whales don't.
The criteria for collecting gases depends on density and solubility .
6. Using Appropriate Apparatus and Reagents
7. Empirical Nature of Scientific Knowledge
Observations vs. Inferences
An observation is a piece of information received directly or indirectly by making use of your five senses. All the observations recorded in a particular study is referred to as data.
An inference is like a good guess based on an observation. Inferences must be consistent with evidence.
Accuracy vs. Precision
When we measure things, most people are only worried about how accurate, or how close to the actual value, they are. Looking at the process of measurement more carefully, you will see that there is another important consideration: precision. Matt Anticole explains what exactly precision is and how can help us to measure things better.
What’s the difference between a scientific law and theory?
Chat with a friend about an established scientific theory, and she might reply, “Well, that’s just a theory.” But a conversation about an established scientific law rarely ends with “Well, that’s just a law.” Why is that? What is the difference between a theory and a law... and is one “better”? Matt Anticole shows why science needs both laws and theories to understand the whole picture.