Science starts with careful observation and safe habits. Review how to protect yourself and others, choose equipment and respond to a problem in a school laboratory.
Follow the teacher’s instructions and read labels before using equipment.
Report spills, injuries and broken equipment immediately.
Never taste laboratory substances or carry out experiments without supervision.
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Answers and explanations
1. A bottle contains an unknown liquid. What should a learner do?
Answer: Ask the teacher before handling it.
Ask the teacher and wait for instructions. Never taste, directly smell or mix unknown substances.
2. Which item helps protect the eyes from splashes?
Answer: Safety goggles.
Safety goggles help protect the eyes. Use the protective equipment specified by the teacher for the activity.
3. A glass beaker breaks on the floor. What is the safest response?
Answer: Tell the teacher and keep others away.
Alert the teacher immediately and keep clear. Broken glass must be handled using the school’s safe clean-up procedure, never with bare hands.
4. Which apparatus is designed to measure the volume of a liquid?
Answer: Measuring cylinder.
A measuring cylinder measures liquid volume, commonly in millilitres. A thermometer measures temperature; a balance measures mass; a stopwatch measures time.
5. Why should long hair be tied back before a supervised heating activity?
Answer: To keep it away from flames and equipment.
Loose hair can catch fire or get caught in equipment. Tie it back and follow the teacher’s safety instructions before starting.
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