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1: First Day of Lab / Measurements and Errors

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    509287
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    First Day of Lab / Measurements and Errors  


    This lab was adapted from the following article: 

    Collison, C. G., Kim, T., Cody, J., Anderson, J., Edelbach, B., Marmor, W., Kipsang, R., Ayotte, C., Saviola, D., & Niziol, J. (2018). Transforming the organic chemistry lab experience: Design, implementation, and evaluation of reformed experimental activities--REActivities. Journal of Chemical Education, 95(1), 55–61. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.7b00234


    Learning Objectives and Skills
    • Students will partner on certain things
    • Students will fix other things

    First Day of Lab Activity (with partner) 

    1. Discuss with your lab partner:

    • What are three things that you would like to get out of this lab course?
    • If you don’t want anything out of this lab course, what are three reasons you are here?

    Student Objectives

    1.

    2.

    3.

    • Looking around the lab, what are you curious about? Is there anything that you are nervous about? Discuss these questions / fears / curiosities with your partner and list some of them below:

    Questions / Fears / Curiosities

    1.

    2.

    3.

    4.

    5.


    2. Look around the lab. Find the different items and either define or draw these common laboratory tools and techniques:

    a. Taring a scale: ____________________________________________________________________

    b. Meniscus: ________________________________________________________________________

    c. Erlenmeyer flask (draw the shape):

    d. Graduated cylinder (draw the shape):

    e. Volumetric flask (draw the shape):

    f. Scoopula (draw the shape):


    3. Before we begin any work in the lab, it is important to discuss safety. One way to improve safety in the lab is to know where different tools are located. In the space below, draw a map indicating the location of the common safety items in a chemistry lab. In your map, you can use the letters to indicate where things are located. You probably will need to get up and explore the room, perhaps even into the hallway.

    a. All Fire Extinguisher(s)

    b. Safety Shower(s)

    c. All Exits

    d. Fume Hood(s)

    e. First Aid Kit(s)

    f. Chemical Spill Kit

    g. All Eye Wash Stations

    h. SDS (Safety Data Sheets)

    i. Your Workstation

    j. Chemical Storage Areas

    k. All Balances

    l. Glass Waste Container

    m. Any Instrumentation

    4. Discuss with your partner the pros and cons of lab rules. 

    • Why do you think we have the following rules (the "Pros")?
    • Are there any reasons or situations where you might not follow the rules (the "Cons")?

    Rule

    Pros

    Cons

    Wear approved safety goggles at all times

       

    No shorts, open-toed shoes, or exposed midriffs

       

    No food or drink in the lab

       

    Know the location of all eyewash stations, safety showers, and exits

       

    Tie back long hair and loose clothing

       

    Do not use broken or cracked glassware

       

    Never taste chemicals

       

    Smell only by wafting

       

    Keep a clean workspace; clean up before leaving

       

    Report all accidents in the lab, even if you think they are minor

       

    All book bags and coats must be stored in the designated area

       

    Only dispose of waste in designated containers

       

    1: First Day of Lab / Measurements and Errors is shared under a CC BY 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

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