FORM -1-PHYSICS--INTRODUCTION TO LABORATORY PRACTICE

INTRODUCTION TO LABORATORY PRACTICE

A Laboratory is a room or a building designed specifically for carrying out experiments.

Laboratory Rules and Safety Guidelines

Rules in a Physics Laboratory

State rules in physics laboratory

While working in the lab, individuals are advised to adhere to specific lab rules to ensure their safety, that of other people working in the lab and the safety of the apparatus and chemicals stored in the lab.

Rules in the physics lab

You should only enter the lab in the presence of a lab attendant.
Keep all exits and entrances to and from the lab clear of obstructions.
Don’t eat or drink in the lab.
Solid objects should not be thrown into the sink or water ways.
Don’t use any lab container for drinking or storing food.
Make sure that you wash your hands with soap before you leave the lab.
The cover or stopper of a particular chemical must be replaced immediately after use.
After experiments, clean your bench and leave it dry and well arranged.
Never quarrel or fight in the lab.
Never use ungloved hands to hold hot objects

Safety Measures in the Physics Laboratory

Explain the safety measures in physics laboratory

Safety measures in physics lab

All experiments which produce poisonous fumes must be conducted in the fume chamber.
Lab floor should not be polished to avoid slipperiness.
Lab should have large windows and doors should be opened outwards.
Ensure that the fire extinguisher is fixed to an appropriate place ready to be accessed in case of fire.
In a multi storey building, a physics lab should be in the lowest floor.

Using First Aid Kit to Render First Aid

Use the First Aid Kit to render first aid

First aid is the immediate care given to accident victims or an injured person before he/she is taken to the hospital for further medical treatment. It reduces pain and it helps to bring hope and encouragement to accident victims.

A First Aid Kit is a small box which is placed in a safe and accessible place in the lab and is used for the storage of instruments and chemicals for first aid.

Contents of a first aid kit and their uses

Contents	Uses
1. Pair of scissors	To cut adhesive tapes, bandages and gauze
2. Rolls of adhesive tape	To hold firmly into wounds bandages, gauze and cotton wool
3. Bandages and cotton wool	To clean and cover wounds
4. Sterilised new razor blades	Used when treating new or old wound
5. Sterilised wound	To clean and cover wounds
6. Safety pin	To tighten clip bandages
7. One jar of petroleum jelly	To apply on burns
8. Iodine tincture	To clean fresh cuts and bruises
9. Soap	To wash hands and wounds
10. Antibiotic solution.	To clean wounds

Warning Signs

Identify warning signs

Warning signs are signs on the containers of chemicals as warnings about the danger of the contained chemical. There are six warning signs.

Explosives

These are substances can explode. An explosion is a forceful rapid reaction which involves the throwing off particles at high speeds.

The sign means that it is dangerous to keep explosives in glass containers.

Oxidant

This is a chemical/substance that helps a burning substance to burn faster.

Oxidising agent makes a small fire to become bigger. Heating a mixture of an organic material with an oxidising agent may cause explosion. Eg; heating potassium permanganate with saw dust.

Flammable

These substances catch fire easily. They should not be kept near open flames. If heated,anelectric heater should be used.

Corrosive

These substances burn skin as well can corrode floors and desktops.

If by accident, a corrosive substance comes into contact with your skin, go to the sink and wash your skin with a lot of water. Examples; Concentrated mineral acids like HCl and HNO3 II. Concentrated alkalis like NaOH and KOH

Toxic

These are very poisonous and can cause death immediately after use or after a few days. They should not be allowed to come into contact with you.

-If you come into contact with such a chemical accidentally, wash it away with a lot of water.

Harmful/irritant

Harmful - these substances may cause illness or endanger your health. They won’t kill instantly but they are lethal. Irritating substances- cause pain in eyes or on your skin and can endanger your health if you are in contact with them doe too long.