Laboratory Technique and Management

Using some tools in laboratory

1. Using a digital balance

It is divided into 3 steps.

- Set up
First, make sure it is clean perfectly, because the left things before will affected the mass.
Then, check the calibration, it will be on the back of the tool. Press the button and make sure
the scale starts at 0.000. Then, to level the balance, press the small bubble. After it is in
levelled, hit the tare button and it will become zero back.
- Experiment
If use the weighing dish, make sure it is zero. The technical is same as make it zero before
using the digital balance. Open the door and place the object directly on the pan as close as
possible. Read the mass is given.
- Sources of error
It is caused by the spilled chemical or uncalibrated digital balance.

2. Using a microscope

The main point should be remembered from setting the microscope is taking it by using both of
hands, one is for the arm, and other for the base. Adjust the light to improve the image. Note if the
brightest light does not necessarily result in the best image.

Experiment:

1. Open the clip on the stage, and put the microscope slide upside.

2. Use the knobs on the lower right side of the stage in order to centre the specimen over the
condenser lens

3. Start with the lower objective lens (4x)

4. look to the ocular lens and focus on the specimen

5. if there is an object result, make sure whether it is centred in the field.

6. move to the next highest objective lens (10x) and refocus it.

Note that he specimen should be nearly in focus to use the smaller fine-focus knob.
Troubleshooting

- Make sure the specimen is centred

- Start over at the lowest power and move the stage back to its highest position
- Clean the lens if it is still blurry

Cleaning up the microscope

- Remove the slide

- Rotate the lowest power lens in place
- Move the stage to a centred position and slide holder to the left
- Turn of the light, power, and wrap the cord
- Put it back in the cabinet you got.

3. Melting Point Apparatus

Load the solid into a capillary rod (very thin tube of glass) that has one sealed, end opens. Then fill
the capillary by taking the open end and pressing it into the solid in a sort of stabbing motion to try
and get some of the solid inside. Move the material by tapping on the bench alternatively, use the
wider and longer glass tube, by dropping the capillary into that. As the capillary bounces, some of
the material from the open end of the capillary down to the base. With the capillary rod loaded with
the material, insert it into the melting point apparatus. It should go to into the apparatus just to the
right of the metal wire of the left