Before You Arrive for Lab

Before coming to lab, every student is expected to prepare a pre-lab write-up. This helps you understand what you’ll be doing, why it’s important, and how to stay safe. Your pre-lab should be written in your bound lab notebook and include the following sections:

1. Objective

Write a short paragraph explaining what the experiment is about and why you’re doing it. What is the purpose of this lab?

2. Safety Hazards

Carefully read the full lab procedure before coming to class. In this section, write down all safety hazards and the safety practices you should follow. Use key safety terms like:

• Flammable: Keep away from flames

• Corrosive: Use gloves, avoid skin contact

• Toxic: Wear gloves, wash hands before leaving lab

3. Materials

List all the equipment and chemicals you’ll need for the lab. Think of it like a “recipe card” to help you set up. Be sure to include:

• Correct chemical names and formulas

• Equipment names and any required quantities or volumes

4. Procedure Summary

Summarize the lab steps in a numbered list in your own words. Don’t copy directly from the lab manual. Your summary should be clear and specific enough that you could follow it without the original instructions.

Important:
Don’t forget to copy all blank data tables from your lab procedure into your notebook before lab day. This makes data collection easier during the lab.