Tools of the Scientist Focus This lab utilizes several tools that scientists use to gather information. Students also learn about the International System of Units (SI), a unified global measurement system. The units and tools associated with quantities such as mass, volume, length, temperature, and force are included in the lab activities.

Objective   

To become comfortable using the SI measurement system. To become comfortable in a lab setting using basic scientist tools. To demonstrate lab safety.

Directions: The following lab will consist of various stations that you and your partner will rotate to. You will have 5 minutes at each station and will rotate when instructed to do so. Carefully read the directions at each station. Write your answers on your sheet IN PENCIL. When you finish each station, leave your area in the same condition that you found it.

STATION 1 Penny _____________ grams

Marker ____________ grams

STATION 2 1. Mass the empty beaker (do this on the triple beam balance) ___________grams 2. Add 50 ml of water to the empty beaker and find the mass using the triple beam balance. ___________grams 3. Subtract #1 from #2. This will give you the mass of the water. ___________grams

STATION 3 Look closely at the metric ruler at your station. You will see many little lines, and every so often you will see a longer line. This longer line is marked with a number. The longer lines are centimeters (cm) and the shorter lines are millimeters (mm). 1. Measure the length of the line provided on the handout. The amount is ______cm. 2. Measure the length of the line provided on the handout. The amount is _____ mm.

STATION 4 Read the new amount using the middle of the meniscus. Record the amount ________ml. New level of water ______ ml. Original level of water (-) ______ ml. Volume of object (=) ______ ml. Adding the object changes the water level. So the object displaces a portion of the water making the water level rise. Because 1ml = 1 cm, the volume of the rock is ______cm . Since ml is a measure of liquid volume, always use cm for the volume of solids. STATION 5 Steps: 1. Place the thermometer in Beaker “A” liquid. Record the temperature ____________ degrees Celsius. 2. Place the thermometer in Beaker “B” liquid. Record the temperature _______________ degrees Celsius. DO NOT THROW AWAY THE CHEMICALS!!!

STATION 6 Find the force of gravity pulling on the object _______ N. This is also the weight of the object! A Newton is a unit of force in the metric system.

Post-Lab 1. 2. 3. 4.

How many stations make up this lab? _____ Name the scientist tool in station one. ____________________ How many milliliters of water are needed in station two? _____ To answer this question you will need your metric ruler. The longer lines on your ruler represent _____________________ and the shorter lines represent __________________. How many millimeters are in one centimeter? _____ 5. Name the scientist tool to be used in station four. ______________________ 6. Station Five is using a thermometer. List the safety concerns for this station. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 7. Station Six is used a spring scale to measure the force of gravity. List the student concerns for this station. 1. 2.