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Lab Act 1- Common Laboratory Tools and Techniques

This document outlines a laboratory activity focused on common laboratory tools and techniques, emphasizing the importance of understanding their use for safe and efficient scientific experiments. The activity includes objectives, materials, and procedures for five stations covering liquid measurement, heating, filtration, and mass measurement. Students are expected to engage in hands-on practice, identify tools, and record observations to develop foundational laboratory skills.

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Aiza Khalid
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© © All Rights Reserved
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
8 views

Lab Act 1- Common Laboratory Tools and Techniques

This document outlines a laboratory activity focused on common laboratory tools and techniques, emphasizing the importance of understanding their use for safe and efficient scientific experiments. The activity includes objectives, materials, and procedures for five stations covering liquid measurement, heating, filtration, and mass measurement. Students are expected to engage in hands-on practice, identify tools, and record observations to develop foundational laboratory skills.

Uploaded by

Aiza Khalid
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LABORATORY ACTIVITY 1 – Common Laboratory Tools and Techniques

Name:_______________________________________ Section:_______________________Date:______________

I. Introduction
Laboratories are essential environments for scientific discovery, where tools and techniques play a fundamental
role in conducting accurate and meaningful experiments. Understanding the proper use and function of common
laboratory tools is necessary for students to perform procedures safely and efficiently. This activity introduces key
laboratory equipment, while teaching essential techniques like measurement, heating, filtration, and measuring mass.
By engaging in hands-on practice, students will develop foundational skills in laboratory operations and reinforce their
understanding of the tools’ applications in real-world scientific investigations.

II. Objectives
1. Accurately identify and describe common laboratory tools and equipment based on their appearance and
features.
2. Demonstrate proper usage of laboratory tools in performing basic scientific procedures.
3. Explain the specific functions and importance of each laboratory tool in experimental activities.

III. Materials

Beaker Stirring rod Tongs Thermometer


Test tube Graduated cylinder Tripod stand Electronic balance
Alcohol lamp Evaporating dish Wash bottle Iron ring
Dropper Mortar and pestle Watch glass Iron stand
Filter paper Test tube holder Wire gauze Measuring spoon
Funnel Test tube rack Erlenmeyer Flask

IV. Procedure
The laboratory activity consists of five stations, each dedicated to a specific common laboratory technique. At each
station, you will:
1. Identify and describe the laboratory tools related to the assigned technique. Write the description in the
appropriate table.
2. Perform the correct technique using the tools provided, following the instructions at the station.
3. Record your observations and answers in the provided data table.
This activity aims to enhance your familiarity with essential laboratory tools and techniques, helping you understand
their proper use and functions. Pay close attention to safety procedure.

A. Tool Identification and Description


1. Draw each tool alongside its specific function. Write a physical description (e.g. material, color, etc)

B. Common Laboratory Techniques Station

Station 1. Liquid Measurement and Transfer


1. Refer to Figure 1 for the proper reading of the liquid. The meniscus refers to the curved portion of the liquid
surface. It is advisable to put a white card or paper behind the markings to facilitate reading the level.. When
measuring the volume of a liquid, ensure your eyes are positioned at the same height as the liquid's surface.
Read the measurement at the bottom of the meniscus, the curved surface of the liquid, for accurate results.
2. Measure 50 mL of water using a graduated cylinder.
3. Pour the measured water into a beaker, using the stirring rod as your guide. Then transfer it into an Erlenmeyer
flask. Refer to Figure 2.
4. Use a dropper to transfer exactly 10 drops of water into a test tube.

GENCHEM01X: General Chemistry (Organic) Page 1 of 4


Figure 1. Reading the level of a liquid
Figure 2. Transferring liquids Figure 3. Heating liquids

Station 2. Heating and Temperature Measurement


1. Fill a beaker with 100 mL of water and place it on a wire gauze set over
a ring stand. Refer to Figure 3 for the set-up.
2. Heat the water using alcohol lamp until it reaches 60°C.
3. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature rise, recording the
temperature every 30 seconds.

Station 3: Filtration
1. Use the mixture of sand and water in a beaker.
2. Fold a piece of filter paper, place it in a funnel, and set the funnel on top
of another beaker. Refer to Figure 4 for the set-up.
3. Slowly pour the mixture through the filter paper, observing the separation
of solids and liquids. Figure 4. Filtration set-up

Station 4: Mass Measurement


1. Turn on the electronic balance and ensure it is properly calibrated (the display reads "0").
2. Place a clean, dry watch glass on the electronic balance. Record the mass of the watch glass in the data table.
3. Remove the watch glass from the balance and use a measuring spoon to add an appropriate amount of salt to
the watch glass.
4. Place the watch glass with the salt back on the balance and record the combined mass.
5. Calculate the mass of the salt by subtracting the mass of the empty watch glass from the combined mass (watch
glass + salt).
6. Record your results in the data table.

DATA SHEET

Name: _____________________________________ Date Performed: _____________ Score: ________


A. STATION 1- Liquid Measurement and Transfer

Tool Description Function


Graduated Cylinder precise measurement of liquid volumes.

Beaker holding, mixing, and approximate measurement of


liquids.

Erlenmeyer flask wide base allows for easy mixing or swirling of


liquids without the risk of spills

Dropper transferring small amounts of liquid drop by drop.

GENCHEM01X: General Chemistry (Organic) Page 2 of 4


Stirring Rod mixing or agitating liquids and solids in a solution.
It is also used in transfering small amounts of
liquids.
Test tube holding, mixing, and heating small quantities of
liquids or solids in experiments

Test tube rack organizing and supporting test tubes during


experiments

B. STATION 2- Heating and Temperature Measurement

Tool Description Function


Wire Gauze distributing heat evenly under glassware.

Tripod Stand supporting equipment over a heat source.

Alcohol Lamp providing a flame as a heat source.

Thermometer measuring temperature changes in substances.

C. STATION 3- Filtration

Tool Description Function


Filter Paper separating solids from liquids in mixtures.

Funnel holding the filter paper during filtration.

Iron stand supporting and holding various pieces of


equipment during experiments
Iron ring holding glassware (such as a beaker, flask, or
evaporating dish) in place, especially during
heating

D. STATION 4- Mass Measurement

Tool Description Function


Electronic balance measuring the mass of solids, liquids (in
containers), or powders with high precision
Watch glass Evaporating small amounts of liquids, covering
beakers and containers, weighing small amount of
substances
Measuring spoon measuring precise amounts of solid or powdered
substances (like salt, sugar, or powders) or small
volumes of liquids (such as oils or extracts).

Table 1. Data Table for Salt Measurement

GENCHEM01X: General Chemistry (Organic) Page 3 of 4


Mass of Empty Beaker (g) Mass of Beaker + Salt (g) Mass of Salt (g)

E. STATION 5- Other materials

Tool Description Function


Wash Bottle rinsing glassware, washing solid
substances off surfaces, or directing small
amounts of liquid into containers
Evaporating dish heating liquids and causing them to
evaporate, leaving solid substances
behind
Mortar and pestle grinding, crushing, or mixing solid
substances

Tongs handling hot containers, such as beakers


or flasks, during experiments

ANALYSIS QUESTIONS:

1. Why is it important to use a graduated cylinder instead of a beaker for measuring precise (being able to consistently
produce the same result when repeating a measurement or procedure) volumes of liquid?

2. How can inaccurate liquid transfer affect experimental results?

3. How does the use of a thermometer contribute to controlling the temperature during an experiment?

4. What are the potential consequences of using improper filter paper during filtration?

5. Why is it necessary to zero the balance before measuring the mass of a substance?

GENCHEM01X: General Chemistry (Organic) Page 4 of 4

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