CHEM 103 LAB EXPERIMENTS 1–8 COMPLETE
STUDY GUIDE 2026
◉ How many times should you read the label on a reagent container
and compare it with the lab manual? Answer: At least twice each
time you remove material from the container.
◉ While weighing out a reagent for use in an experiment, a student
finds he has leftover reagent. What should the student do? Answer:
Place the excess reagent in the appropriate solid or liquid waste
container to prevent contamination of the stock reagent.
◉ List the correct procedure for lighting and working with a Bunsen
burner. Answer: 1. Make sure all loose clothing and hair have been
properly restrained and will not contact the flame accidentally.
2. Prepare the workspace to be sure no flammable materials are in
the vicinity of the open flame
3. Inspect the tubing to the gas valve to be sure it does not have any
cracks or holes that would allow a gas to leak.
4. Inspect the burner to be sure that the air intake and fuel valves
work properly and can be adjusted.
5. With the sparker in hand, turn on the gas and light the flame as
soon as possible to minimize unburned gas in the air.
,6. Adjust the fuel valve to set the height of the flame and adjust the
air intake valve to adjust the temperature (color) of the flame
according to the instructions in the lab manual.
7. Monitor the flame and all nearby materials closely until the
experiment is complete. Never leave an open flame unattended.
8. Shut off the burner and gas valve as soon as experimental work is
completed, or anytime you must leave the flame unattended.
◉ List the basic order of steps for beginning any experimental
procedures. Answer: 1. Take any personal safety precautions that
are warranted.
2. Prepare your workspace.
3. Inspect your equipment to make sure it is functioning properly.
◉ When should you inspect the glassware in your drawer for chips,
cracks, or chemical residues? Answer: Glassware should be
inspected during an experiment (before using any glassware), before
beginning an experiment, and during check-in (where any glassware
can be replaced for free) in order to prevent injuries, accidents, or
unwanted complications.
◉ Suppose a beaker of solid reagent drops onto the bench and
cracks. What is the best way to dispose of this? Answer: To the
extent possible, solid reagent should be added to the solid waste
container and broken glass should be added to the glass waste.
Hazardous materials should never be added to glass waste, and
, broken glass should only be allowed in solid waste with the TA's
permission.
◉ Why does the lab safety policy address loose clothing, dangling
jewelry, and contact lenses? Answer: Loose clothing/dangling
jewelry: can impede movement, knock materials over, can present a
fire hazard.
Contact lenses: can hold hazardous chemicals close to the eyes.
All of these items increase the risk of injury.
◉ Your lab partner accidentally gets a mist of your solution in her
eye. You immediately help her to the eye wash to rinse it. After about
a minute, she feels better and is ready to get back to work. What
should you do? Answer: Keep her in the eye wash for at least 15
minutes, and then make sure she goes to student health, just to be
sure.
◉ When reading the label on a reagent container, what are the three
most important pieces of information? Answer: Name,
concentration, and hazard warning(s)
◉ What are important precautions before using a hot plate? Answer:
Remember that the ceramic top of the hot plate, and any glassware
heated by the hot plate will look the same when hot as cold, and will
not cool down until well after the hot plate has been shut off.
STUDY GUIDE 2026
◉ How many times should you read the label on a reagent container
and compare it with the lab manual? Answer: At least twice each
time you remove material from the container.
◉ While weighing out a reagent for use in an experiment, a student
finds he has leftover reagent. What should the student do? Answer:
Place the excess reagent in the appropriate solid or liquid waste
container to prevent contamination of the stock reagent.
◉ List the correct procedure for lighting and working with a Bunsen
burner. Answer: 1. Make sure all loose clothing and hair have been
properly restrained and will not contact the flame accidentally.
2. Prepare the workspace to be sure no flammable materials are in
the vicinity of the open flame
3. Inspect the tubing to the gas valve to be sure it does not have any
cracks or holes that would allow a gas to leak.
4. Inspect the burner to be sure that the air intake and fuel valves
work properly and can be adjusted.
5. With the sparker in hand, turn on the gas and light the flame as
soon as possible to minimize unburned gas in the air.
,6. Adjust the fuel valve to set the height of the flame and adjust the
air intake valve to adjust the temperature (color) of the flame
according to the instructions in the lab manual.
7. Monitor the flame and all nearby materials closely until the
experiment is complete. Never leave an open flame unattended.
8. Shut off the burner and gas valve as soon as experimental work is
completed, or anytime you must leave the flame unattended.
◉ List the basic order of steps for beginning any experimental
procedures. Answer: 1. Take any personal safety precautions that
are warranted.
2. Prepare your workspace.
3. Inspect your equipment to make sure it is functioning properly.
◉ When should you inspect the glassware in your drawer for chips,
cracks, or chemical residues? Answer: Glassware should be
inspected during an experiment (before using any glassware), before
beginning an experiment, and during check-in (where any glassware
can be replaced for free) in order to prevent injuries, accidents, or
unwanted complications.
◉ Suppose a beaker of solid reagent drops onto the bench and
cracks. What is the best way to dispose of this? Answer: To the
extent possible, solid reagent should be added to the solid waste
container and broken glass should be added to the glass waste.
Hazardous materials should never be added to glass waste, and
, broken glass should only be allowed in solid waste with the TA's
permission.
◉ Why does the lab safety policy address loose clothing, dangling
jewelry, and contact lenses? Answer: Loose clothing/dangling
jewelry: can impede movement, knock materials over, can present a
fire hazard.
Contact lenses: can hold hazardous chemicals close to the eyes.
All of these items increase the risk of injury.
◉ Your lab partner accidentally gets a mist of your solution in her
eye. You immediately help her to the eye wash to rinse it. After about
a minute, she feels better and is ready to get back to work. What
should you do? Answer: Keep her in the eye wash for at least 15
minutes, and then make sure she goes to student health, just to be
sure.
◉ When reading the label on a reagent container, what are the three
most important pieces of information? Answer: Name,
concentration, and hazard warning(s)
◉ What are important precautions before using a hot plate? Answer:
Remember that the ceramic top of the hot plate, and any glassware
heated by the hot plate will look the same when hot as cold, and will
not cool down until well after the hot plate has been shut off.
