RAFFLES GIRLS SCHOOL Introduction to Manipulation, Measurement and Observation (MMO 1)

Basic Manipulative Skills

Five categories of basic manipulative skills are covered in this handout for your Practical 1: I. Labelling II. Measuring Length III. Measuring, Dispensing and Mixing Liquids IV. Measuring and Controlling Temperature V. Measuring Time

I. Labelling
Labelling of apparatus
This is required to prevent confusion when using more than one set of apparatus eg. test tubes, boiling tubes, petri dishes, beakers, conical flasks, plastic vials etc. ! Ensure that the apparatus is CLEAN (need not be dry for most enzyme-catalysed experiments unless otherwise stated). ! Wash and scrub with bottle-brush (if necessary). ! Rinse the apparatus with distilled water after washing and before use. ! Wipe the outer surface of the apparatus DRY before labelling. ! (i) Use sticker labels Place the sticker labels on the DRY outer surface of the apparatus (eg. for test tubes, stick labels about 1 cm below the mouth). Do not use sticker labels if the test tubes are to be placed in a water bath, as sticker labels peel off easily upon contact with water. OR (ii) Use a marker pen with PERMANENT ink If the test tubes are to be placed in a water bath, ALWAYS use a marker pen with PERMANENT ink and write on the DRY outer surface of the apparatus.

II. Measuring Length

Use of ruler (or tape measure)
! ! Ensure that the ruler or scale is positioned as close as possible to the object being measured. Position the line of sight directly above and perpendicular to the reading on the scale, to avoid parallax error.

III. Measuring, Dispensing and Mixing Liquids

1. Use of dropper / Pasteur pipette

To dispense liquids dropwise. Also used to dispense approximate volumes of one to a few ml. ! Hold the dropper / Pasteur pipette as shown in Fig. 1, keeping it vertical. ! Squeeze gently to dispense individual drops, keeping the dropper / pipette vertical at all times

2. Use of graduated syringe

Fig. 1

To measure small volumes not larger than 10 ml. ! Push the plunger into the syringe to remove air. ! Ensure that the syringe nozzle is submerged in the solution before pulling the plunger, to prevent the introduction of bubbles. ! Pull the plunger carefully to draw the solution into the syringe to slightly more than the required volume. ! Position the graduated side of the syringe at eye level while pushing the plunger with the thumb (nozzle to be directed into the solution and not inverted) to remove the excess solution. ! Read the volume at the eye level shown in Fig. 2. ! Push the plunger to expel the solution down the wall of the test tube / container. OR: ! Draw some air (1 ml) into the syringe before drawing the solution (following the steps as above). ! Read the volume with the eye at the lowest meniscus level which is clearly visible, as shown in Fig. 3. ! Push the plunger to expel the solution down the wall of the test tube / container. ! This method is mostly applicable for measuring volumes of dark-coloured solutions.

Eye level

Fig. 2

Eye level

Fig. 3
3.

Use of measuring cylinder

To measure larger volumes of more than 10 ml. ! Place the measuring cylinder on a level surface so that the volumetric scale is horizontal. ! Pour the solution into the measuring cylinder using a beaker or plastic vial until it almost reaches the desired volume. ! Top up the volume slowly using a Pasteur pipette (see Pg 3). Dispense the solution slowly down the wall of the measuring cylinder. ! Ensure that the eye is level with the bottom of the liquid's meniscus, to prevent parallax error. ! Stop dispensing when the lowest meniscus level is level with the desired mark.

4. Stirring, mixing and shaking liquids (a) Use of glass rod / stirrer
! Ensure that the glass rod / stirrer is clean and dry.
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Hold the glass rod above the base of the test tube and gently stir in a circular manner. DO NOT use the glass rod / stirrer to 'poke' the bottom of the test tube / glassware.

(b) Manual shaking

! Place the thumb and index finger against the side of the test tube and shake the test tube in a sideways motion.

OR: ! Tap the bottom of the test tube using the index finger. NEVER put your thumb over the mouth of the test tube and tilt test tube upside down. Some chemicals are very CORROSIVE!

SAFETY WITH GLASSWARE When using glassware: " All clean glassware must be placed in the basket or on the bench top, away from the edge of the bench top or sink. " Used glassware should be placed in the sink when not required. " Test tubes must always be placed in a test tube rack (or tall beaker). NEVER leave them on the bench top as they may roll off its edge. " Do NOT use chipped or cracked glassware - they may break under strain and should be discarded.

Note that all breakages will incur a REASONABLE FINE !

In the event of glassware breakage: Dispose of broken glass thoroughly and with GREAT CARE. NEVER handle broken glass with bare hands! Use a pair of forceps to pick up the glass shards and discard, or use a broom to sweep the broken pieces of glass into a dustpan and discard. NEVER use a piece of cloth to clear the fine glass pieces. Use moistened tissue paper to wipe them away and discard. Always discard broken glass pieces into the correct bin for broken glassware located in the laboratory preparation room.
IIV.

Measuring and Controlling Temperature

1. Use of thermometer
To measure temperature. ! Always stir or mix a fluid uniformly before measuring its temperature. ! Dip the bulb of the thermometer into the fluid. ! Maintain the bulb's submerged position in the fluid until the mercury level stabilises ie. temperature reading becomes constant. ! Take the temperature reading at eye level to avoid parallax error.

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Remove the thermometer from the fluid as soon as the temperature has been recorded. Do not leave the thermometer in the beaker for long/ incubation. SAFETY WITH THERMOMETERS

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Do NOT use a thermometer for stirring. NEVER leave a thermometer in boiling water. In the event that a thermometer breaks: IMMEDIATELY alert the teacher and the lab attendant to remove the mercury; the student is NOT allowed to handle mercury, which is a POISON.

2. Lighting a Bunsen burner

For purpose of heating, typically to set up and / or maintain temperature of water bath. ! Ensure that the fans are switched OFF, and that the gas tap is CLOSED. ! Ensure that the rubber tube is firmly attached to the gas tap nozzle to prevent leakage of gas (No smell of gas!). If the rubber tube is not in good condition, have it replaced. ! Turn the collar of the Bunsen burner so that it is completely closed. ! Light a match OR hold the lighter with one hand near the mouth of the Bunsen burner BEFORE OPENING the gas tap. ! OPEN the gas tap slowly, and introduce the flame of the match OR press the trigger of the lighter (one to a few times). ! Move the flame of the match OR lighter away from the Bunsen burner once it is ignited. ! Extinguish the flame of the match and dispose of the match in the dustbin (NEVER throw it into the sink or leave it on the work bench) OR put the lighter aside. ! Adjust the valve to regulate the air vent, thereby controlling the type of flame (eg. open the valve to obtain a hotter, more concentrated flame). SAFETY WITH THE BUNSEN BURNER Keep the flame well away from yourself / your clothing / your hair (long hair should be tied back). CLOSE the gas tap when the Bunsen burner is no longer required. Always wear safety goggles when using the Bunsen burner.

3. Setting up a water bath

Usually, you will be required to maintain a water bath at 36-42oC, but sometimes, you may need to set up a water bath at lower or higher temperatures. (a) Water bath below room temperature ! Fill half the beaker with tap water. ! Add ice to lower the temperature of the tap water to the desired level, the amount of ice to add depending on the required temperature. ! Dip the thermometer bulb into the water bath (Reminder: NEVER use the thermometer to stir!) and take the reading at eye level when the mercury level has stabilised (see Use of thermometer on p.9). Note: The measured temperature need not be the exact desired temperature; a reading within 1oC of the desired temperature is acceptable.
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To maintain the required temperature, keep adding ice, making sure to remove excess water from the ice first to prevent spillage.

(b) Water bath above room temperature ! Fill the beaker with hot water (usually provided at the side bench), the amount depending on the required temperature. ! Add tap water to lower the temperature of the hot water to the desired level. ! Immerse the thermometer into the water bath (Reminder: NEVER use the thermometer to stir!) and take the reading at eye level when the mercury level has stabilised (see Use of thermometer on p.6). Note: The measured temperature need not be the exact desired temperature; a reading within 1oC of the desired temperature is good enough. ! To maintain the required temperature, add hot water, taking care to remove some water from the beaker first to prevent spillage. (c) ! ! ! ! ! Boiling water bath Set up the Bunsen burner with tripod stand and wire gauze in place. Fill half the beaker with hot water (usually provided at the side bench). Place the water bath on the wire gauze and light the Bunsen burner. Ensure that the flame is directed at the centre of the base of the beaker. Bring the water to a boil (with rapid bubbling) before putting the test tubes or boiling tubes into the water bath using a test tube holder. Ensure that the tubes are not directed at anyone or yourself. SAFETY WITH HOT OBJECTS / CHEMICALS
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When heating, ALWAYS wear safety goggles to prevent the chemicals from injuring the eyes. Use a piece of cloth to hold a hot beaker just below the rim. NEVER use your bare hands, even if you think you can withstand the heat. Use a test tube / boiling tube holder when handling a hot test tube / boiling tube to prevent burns / scalds. If you are burnt or scalded, inform your teacher IMMEDIATELY for First Aid assistance.

V. Measuring Time
Use of stopwatch
To ensure that the reaction time for experiments is standardised. Also used when required to determine the rate of reactions. ! Before use, ensure that the stopwatch is functioning properly by performing the following three steps. ! Press RESET to zero the stopwatch. ! Press START to start timing. ! Press STOP to stop timing. SAFETY WITH SHARP OBJECTS Always place sharp objects eg. scalpel, forceps, scissors etc. away from the edge of the bench top as the protruding pointed ends are potentially harmful
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and may injure others who are passing by your bench; or the object may fall to the ground and injure your foot.