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Lab Equipment and Safety

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Lab Equipment and Safety

You are preparing a safe, accurate investigation in a New Zealand school science lab. Read each scenario carefully. Choose equipment for its correct purpose, identify hazards, and explain how to reduce risk.

Choose and use equipment

Use the equipment choices and information in each question to answer Questions 1–4.

1.A group needs exactly 25 mL of water for a fair test. Which item is the best choice for measuring this volume: a measuring cylinder, beaker, thermometer, or test tube? Why is a beaker less suitable?

2.The group must measure the mass of a dry sample before adding water. Which equipment should they use?

Thermometer
Electronic balance
Test tube
Stirring rod

3.A student heats a small amount of liquid in a test tube. Name one piece of suitable heating equipment and one additional item or method that helps hold the test tube safely.

4.A measuring cylinder contains water. At what part of the curved meniscus should you read the volume, and how should your eyes be positioned?

Spot hazards and reduce risk

A class is about to test how water temperature affects how quickly a tablet dissolves. They will use warm water, glassware and a thermometer.

5.Select the two safest actions before the investigation begins.

Tie back long hair and put on safety goggles.
Taste the water to check whether it is warm.
Clear bags and books away from the bench edge.
Carry glassware while running to save time.

6.A beaker cracks and water spills beside a power lead. What should the student do first, and why should they not try to pick up the glass immediately?

7.A bottle label says: “Store below 25°C.” Is a storage cupboard at 24°C suitable? Explain your answer, and say whether exactly 25°C meets the instruction.

8.A balance reading is 0.325 kg. Convert this mass to grams. Show the conversion you use.

9.During the test, one group changes both the water temperature and the amount of tablet. Why does this make their results difficult to interpret? Name the variable they should keep the same if they are investigating the effect of temperature.

10.Before leaving the lab, write two actions that help leave the room safe and ready for the next class.