Term 1 Reflections/Notes

In Term 1, we were introduced to the apparatus in the laboratory, laboratory safety rules and how to use the Bunsen burner. We were also taught the skills and attitudes of a scientist and other skills such as drawing a graph.


Laboratory safety rules (Do's and Don'ts):


Do


Always follow your teacher's instructions carefully


Keep your writing materials away from heating equipment, glassware, chemicals and flames

Tell your teacher immediately when you are cut or burn in the laboratory


Report to the teacher immediately if you break any glassware or spill any chemicals. Spillages, even if water, need to be cleaned up without delay


Wait until hot equipment has had time to cool before putting it away


Leave all benches and tables clean and dry when you have completed an experiment


Wash your hands after handling any substances in the laboratory


Tie long hair back if you see a Bunsen Burner


Point test tubes away from your eyes and your fellow students'


Wear safety goggles when heating or mixing substances


Follow your teacher's directions about the disposal of substances




Don't


Enter the laboratory without your teacher's permission


Run, push or behave roughly in the laboratory


Eat or drink in laboratory


Smell or taste substances unless instructed by your teacher.When you do need to smell  substances, fan the odour to your nose with your hand


Put solid objects such as matchsticks and pieces of paper in the sink


Pour substances down the sink


Mix chemicals without instructions given by your teacher look directly above the test tube, beaker or flask


Enter a preparation room without your teacher's permission


Bunsen Burner


Next, Ms Nada introduced us to the Bunsen Burner. We were warned about the dangers of a strike-back, how it looked like and what to do in such an occasion. We were also taught about the different flames from a Bunsen burner: the Luminous flame and the Non-Luminous flame. 

















On the picture above, 1 is a luminous flame and 4 is a non-luminous flame. The picture below describes the colours of the different regions in the flames.

The Attitudes of Scientists


A scientist should have creativity, curiosity, objectivity, open-mindedness, integrity and perseverance. A scientist should be able to share his discoveries and ideas to fellow scientists, so that all can make a faster and better journey to reach the common goal. A scientist must have creativity for ideas to flow. A scientist must also have integrity and be transparent and must have a vision to bettering the lives of humankind, not for destructive purposes.


Drawing of a Graph


Lines in graphs for science, are either straight or curved. The first step in drawing a graph is marking points on the graph based on data collected. Then, decide whether the line should be drawn straight or curved. If the points on the graph seem to be in a trend, but has a few points out of it, we use a best-fit line. Below is an example:





A wrong example:

If the lines on the graph form a certain curve, then without the use of rulers, draw a curved line.

• • This is a summary of graph drawing in science 

How To Construct a Line Graph On Paper
Step	What To Do	How To Do It
1	Identify the variables	Independent Variable - (controlled by the experimentor) Goes on the X axis (horizontal) Should be on the left side of a data table. Dependent Variable - (changes with the independent variable) Goes on the Y axis (vertical) Should be on the right side of a data table.
2	Determine the variable range.	Subtract the lowest data value from the highest data value. Do each variable separately.
3	Determine the scale of the graph.	Determine a scale, (the numerical value for each square), that best fits the range of each variable. Spread the graph to use MOST of the available space.
4	Number and label each axis.	This tells what data the lines on your graph represent.
5	Plot the data points.	Plot each data value on the graph with a dot. You can put the data number by the dot, if it does not clutter your graph.
6	Draw the graph.	Draw a curve or a line that best fits the data points. Most graphs of experimental data are not drawn as "connect-the-dots".
7	Title the graph.	Your title should clearly tell what the graph is about. If your graph has more than one set of data, provide a "key" to identify the different lines.

Source: http://staff.tuhsd.k12.az.us/gfoster/standard/bgraph.htm

How to Draw Apparatus

Note: 

1. When during a straight line of an apparatus, use a ruler

2. When drawing more than 1 apparatus together, make sure the size is in proportion (example: a Bunsen burner should not be drawn larger than a retord stand.