Introduction

BS1.1 Greek philosopher

Democritus, a Greek philosopher, noticed that when he split a rock in half, the two halves were the same. He theorized that if he continued splitting the rock pieces in half, he would get smaller and smaller particles of identical composition. The called these small particles “atomos”, Greek meaning “undivided”. At the time, his theory was rejected by his peers and the theory of atoms did not resurface until the 1800s.

In this section, we will look at the structure of matter and how scientific experimentation led to an understanding of the structure of the atom. We will also look at safe laboratory practices, identify historical uses of chemistry, and investigate some chemistry-based careers.

  Targets

BS1.2 Students working safely in a chemistry lab

1. learn about WHMIS pictograms and safe practices in the handling of chemicals in the laboratory and at home
   

BS1.3 Simple model of an atom

2. identify the laboratory evidence that scientists such as Dalton, Thomson, Rutherford, and Bohr collected during the development of the atomic model, which consists of protons, neutrons (nucleons) and electrons
   

BS1.4 Mukluks

3. identify historical examples of how humans used chemical substances and identify examples of chemistry-based careers in your community
   

  Introduction

B1.1 Two girls performing a lab

By the end of this lesson, you will have an awareness of the dangers that are lurking in laboratory settings (and in your home) and how your actions can keep you safe. Plus, you will become familiar with WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System) infographics.

  Targets

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to

• illustrate an awareness of WHMIS guidelines
• demonstrate safe practices in the handling, storage, and disposal
• of chemicals in the laboratory and at home
• demonstrate knowledge of WHMIS standards by selecting and applying proper techniques for the handling and disposal of laboratory materials
• select and use apparatuses, technology, and materials safely
  

  Did You Know?

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B1.2 Tipi with a fire burning inside

The design of traditional Indigenous dwellings (e.g., tipis and igloos) illustrated an understanding of the mechanics of fire and, as a result these designs, allowed proper ventilation of toxic combustion products such as carbon monoxide (CO). This kept the occupants of these dwellings safe.

  Watch This

  Safe Lab Practices

© Argonne National Laboratory CC2.0
B1.3 emojis, one with safety goggles, one with an eyepatch

Even though the risk of injury in a high school laboratory is low, there are occasions when accidents do happen. Following basic, common sense safety rules reduces the risk of injury and accidents.

Basic Laboratory Safety Rules

1. Follow all instructions, both written and verbal.
2. Wear personal protective equipment (PPE), safety goggles, gloves, and an apron/lab coat as required.
3. Wear long pants and closed-toed shoes.
4. Contact lenses are forbidden.
5. Tie back hair, especially around open flames.
6. No horseplay in the laboratory.
7. No food or drink in the laboratory.
8. Do not wear earbuds/headphones.
9. Keep your workstation neat and tidy.
10. Learn where and how to use safety equipment, such as an eyewash station, fire blanket, fire extinguisher, safety shower.
11. Ensure all equipment is in good working order.
12. Being aware of your surroundings—Is that beaker hot?
13. Waft when smelling.
14. Never look directly into a container and ensure reacting containers are pointed away from all people.
15. Never pour liquids into a container that you are holding.
16. Label all containers.
17. Do not return used chemicals back to the stock container.
18. Let your teacher know when there is a spill or if lab equipment breaks.
19. Clean up all spills immediately.
20. Dispose of waste properly: Use the broken glass container, waste collection vessel, or trash as appropriate.
21. Wash your hands before leaving the lab.

  Read This

  Practice Questions

1. What footwear is best to have on during a chemistry lab?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   Closed-toed shoes, in case chemicals get spilled. This will protect your feet and make the spill easier to clean.
   
   
2. Why should you tie long hair back and ensure you are not wearing baggy clothes?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   Both are fire hazards. There is an increased risk of knocking over lab equipment and vision might be obscured.

  What To Do If An Accident Does Occur

B1.4 Student using eyewash station

Responding quickly and appropriately to an incident can be the difference between discomfort and permanent disability.

If you notice improper or unsafe behavior or if an incident is actively occurring, inform the teacher immediately. Here are some examples that may occur in a high school chemistry lab.

Incident	Response
chemical spill on skin	Rinse the area under running water for 10 to 15 min.
chemical spill in your eyes	Rinse the eye using an eyewash station for 10 to 15 min.
chemical spill on counter or floor	Use a spill kit to contain and neutralize the chemicals.
person on fire	Smother the fire using a fire blanket. Never use a fire extinguisher on a person.
equipment on fire	Extinguish with a fire extinguisher.
stabbed with glass	Leave glass. Seek medical attention.

  Watch This

  Practice Questions

1. After Sam plugs in her microscope, she hears a crackling sound and sees smoke. Flames shoot out of the outlet and quickly start a lab notebook on fire. What should Sam do?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   Sam should use the fire extinguisher to put the fire out and then tell the teacher.
   
   
2. Teba is mixing two solutions together when a violent reaction occurs and some of the solution splashes on her face and gets in her eyes. What should Teba do?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   Teba should use the eyewash station (trying to keep her eyes open) for at least 10 to 15 minutes. Then she should tell the teacher.

  WHMIS 2015 Pictograms

B1.5 test tubes with safety symbols on them

While you should always be cautious when working in a laboratory or when using chemicals at home, some substances require extra precautions. A universal system that identifies dangers easily and effectively uses symbols (pictograms) in alerting laboratory users of potential dangers. In addition to pictograms, there are also information sheets that accompany chemicals (known as Safety Data Sheets, or SDS). These sheets provide more details about the chemical, such as hazards, effects of exposure, and first aid treatment.

Note: The pictograms listed here are different than the ones listed in your textbook. Please use these pictograms in your learning, as they are the updated WHMIS pictograms.

WHMIS 2015 Pictograms

It is common to have chemicals that are labeled with more than one WHMIS pictogram.

WHMIS 2015 Pictogram	Description	Hazard
B1.6 Skull and crossbones	skull and crossbones	can cause death or toxicity with short exposure to small amounts (fatal, acute toxicity)
B1.7 human silhouette with a white star in the middle	health hazard	may cause or suspected of causing serious health effects carcinogenic respiratory sensitization reproductive toxicity specific target organ toxicity germ cell mutagenicity aspiration hazard
B1.8 exclamation mark	exclamation mark	may cause less serious health effects or damage the ozone layer irritation (skin or eyes) skin sensitivity acute toxicity (harmful) specific target organ toxicity (drowsiness or dizziness or respiratory irritation)
B1.9 biohazard symbol	biohazardous infectious material	organisms or toxins that can cause diseases in people or animals
B1.10 tree and fish	environment	may cause damage to the aquatic environment
B1.11 Corrosive liquid	corrosion	corrosive damage to metals as well as skin and eyes
B1.12 Gas cylinder	gas cylinder	gas under pressure
B1.13 Flames	flame	fire hazards flammable self-reactive self-heating can emit flammable gases when in contact with water
B1.14 an O with flames	flame over circle	oxidizing hazard supports the burning of a flammable material
B1.15 Exploding bomb	exploding bomb	for explosion or severe reactivity hazards

WHMIS 2015 Pictograms courtesy of the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety

  Virtual Lab

WHMIS Interactive

Background Information:

Please work through this interactive to help you learn the WHMIS symbols.

Procedure:

1. Click on the play icon to open the interactive. Print students can access the lab in the Online Resources for Print Students section of their online course.
2. Drag and drop the pictograms into their corresponding WHMIS description boxes.
3. Make sure to drop the pictogram into the box beside each description in order to make them stick.

  Practice Questions

1. A student is using an acid, which can corrode metal and cause damage if spilled on skin or splashed in the eyes. Which WHMIS symbol should it be labeled with?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   

   B1.16 Corrosive liquid

   
   
   
   
2. A student is using ammonium nitrate, which is an important agricultural fertilizer, in a lab activity. Ammonium nitrate will cause flammable substances to burn more intensely. What WHMIS symbol should it be labeled with?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   

   B1.17 An “O” with flames
   
   
3. Petra is walking on the shore of the Bow River and sees that some garbage has washed up. Taking a closer look, Petra notices the bag is full of disposable syringes, needles, and discarded latex gloves. The bag containing this waste should have had which warning symbol on it?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   

   B1.18 Biohazard symbol

   
   

   
   
   
   
4. Remy was helping her family stain and varnish their kitchen cupboards. It was getting dark, so she flicked on the lamp and all of a sudden everything caught on fire. Which WHMIS symbol should have been on the stain and varnish?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   

   B1.18 flames in a red diamond

   
   
   
   
5. Tomas got a summer job in an automotive shop. His job is to clean tools and equipment with acetone. He is working in a small room without ventilation, and by the end of the first day, he is drowsy, dizzy, and his eyes are burning slightly. What symbol should have been on the container of acetone?
   
   
   Check your work.
   

   

   B1.19 exclamation point

   
   

   
   

  Safety First

B1.20 Students watching chemicals burst into flames

While most chemicals that will be used in a high school laboratory are relatively harmless, there are some chemicals that may have associated hazards or can become dangerous when mixed with other chemicals. Hazards can be reduced though if you demonstrate safe practices in the handling, storage, and disposal of chemicals in the laboratory and at home.

  Virtual Lab

Lab Safety Simulation © ncbionetwork 

• Background Information
  
• Procedure
  

Please view this simulation to apply lab safety techniques to a “real” lab situation.

Click on the procedures tab to continue.

1. Click on the play icon to open the virtual lab. Print students can access the interactive in the Online Resources for Print Students section of their online course.
2. Type in your first and last name.
3. Click on the submit button.
4. Select a character.
5. Click “NEXT” to continue.
6. Read the dialogue and then click “NEXT.”
7. Follow the directions found in the simulation.

  Review Quiz

Work through this quick quiz to test your understanding of safe lab procedures.

2.1 Assignment

Unit B Formative Assessment