Equipment Lab

Equipment Lab Teachers John Vickers Ruthie Mobley Topics Proper equipment use Goals In this lab, I set up the equipment listed below around the room. This was used in the first week of class, so it is a simple lab to get the students used to following directions and using the equipment to be used in later labs. What Students will do: Thermometer Place 2 hot plates side by side, one on and one off, with the controls covered. Place a beaker on each hot plate with thermometers on the table beside them. When placed into the water it should be obvious which one is on, but this should not be obvious to the naked eye or holding your hand above it. Per lab safety rules you should not let them touch the beaker or hot plate because you do not know which one is on. Beaker on hot plate ~110°F Beaker on hot plate ~room temp Microscope The microscopes are just to get them used to focusing the microscope, just try to find something cool to look at. I used a silicon wafer with microchips printed on it, with a human hair lying across it. It is surprising for most people to see the chip wires are much smaller than hair. Silicon Wafers under different magnifications Graduated Cylinder and Beakers Measure the volume in the different containers; describe why graduated cylinders are more accurate. Measure volume in 2 graduated cylinders Measure volume in 2 beakers Triple beam balance Equipment Lab This is to introduce the density blocks that will be used later in the semester, as well as give them practice with the triple beam balance. Measure masses of density blocks How many blocks would equal your weight? Meter Stick This is to bring some math into the science room and to give them practice in measuring. Measure volume of desk Measure volume of density cubes How many cubes will fit in the desk? Math Skills Measuring Calculating volumes Science Skills Following instructions Following lab safety rules Estimated Time: 2 standard class periods Equipment Lab Triple Beam Balance: Used to find the mass of an object. How to read the balance: Set weights to zero Make sure the indicator at the far right is aligned to the fixed mark If not aligned, adjust using the knob on the far left Set object to measure on the pan Adjust weights until alignment marks match on the far right Graduated Cylinder: Used to measure small volumes of liquid accurately. How to read the cylinder: Read the volume from the bottom of the meniscus Meniscus Beaker: Used to measure larger volumes of liquid How to read the Beaker: Read the volume from the bottom of the meniscus Meter Stick: Used for measuring distances How to read the Meter Stick: Read length at closest marked line Equipment Lab Microscope: Used to see smaller objects than the eye can see unaided How to focus the Microscope: Use the knob to move the lens close to the object While looking through the objective, raise the lens until in focus Thermometer: Used to measure the temperature of the bulb. How to read the Thermometer: Read at the closest mark at the top of the red column Some thermometers, like the one shown, can measure both Fahrenheit and Celsius Equipment Lab Name:________________________________ Station 1: Which hot plate is on? _________________ Explain how you determined this and why: ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________ Station 2: What is the mass of the Brass Block? __________ g How many of these blocks would it take to equal your mass? 1000 g is the same as 2.2 pounds. ___________ # of blocks Station 3: What is the volume of the Plastic Block? ______ cm3 How many of these would it take to fill a Gallon of Milk? 1 Gallon is the same as 3785.4 cm3. ___________ # of blocks Station 4: Read the volumes of liquid in the marked containers: Container 1: ________ mL Container 3: ________ mL Container 2: ________ mL Container 4: ________ mL