Session (0.3.1) Practical Investigative Equipment, Experimental Design and Safety

Partial Progress - Circles (browser only)

Introduction

Scientists use a wide range of specialist measuring equipment and apparatus designed specifically to enable different areas of Science to be investigated. By the end of the course, you need to be familiar with different types of Science equipment, their uses and their names and know how to draw the equipment in a diagram.

Practical equipment is drawn using simple line drawings that give just enough detail to make the drawing clearly recognisable as, for example, a filter funnel or a Bunsen burner. Note: including line drawings of practical equipment can really help you in questions when you are being asked to describe a practical method to investigate, for example, how to make a soluble salt. The line drawings enable you to convey your meaning using fewer words.

Task

This link should help you start to familiarise yourself with some of the equipment that could be used in a practical setting:

WATCH – Experimental Techniques (YouTube)

Experimental Design

You will be asked to plan or design an experiment during the course. You will need select the correct equipment and consider how to achieve accurate results/data. This will all come with practice.

Links

This link should help with understanding what may be involved in answering this type of question. Remember that you will be working towards this over the course.

WATCH – Designing Experiments for IGCSE – Tips for the Alternative to Practical Paper (YouTube)

Safety in Science Investigations

Scientific investigations always start with an appraisal of the hazards and risks that are associated with the investigation. The dangers can come from the chemicals being used or from hot water, or from any heating or electrical equipment. It is good practice to list the hazards (sources of danger), the risks (the harm that could be done to you or people near to where you are working) and what you are going to do to reduce the risks.

Task

Watch this video:

WATCH – Lab Safety (CAIE)

Download this sheet and complete the exercise. It is based around Chemistry experiments, but all the points are valid for this course too.

READ – Safety in Experiments