Unit 8 chemistry laboratory

I. Study the topical vocabulary to avoid any difficulties in understanding the text in exercise IV. Consult a dictionary to pronounce the words correctly.

alike _adj – одинаковый, похожий

beaker _n – лабораторный стакан, мензурка

burner _n – _зд. горелка, Bunsen ['bΛnsn] burner – горелка Бунзена

carefully _adv – осторожно

case _n – коробка, ящик

chemicals _{n pl} – химические препараты

corrosive _adj – едкий

crucible _n – плавильный тигель

dangerous _adj – опасный

device _n – прибор, устройство

drawer _n – выдвижной ящик

drug _n – _зд. лекарство

escape _n – утечка, выпуск, улетучивание

evaporating dish – выпарная чашка

explosive _adj– взрывчатый

extend _v – расширять

flammable _adj – воспламеняющийся

flask _n – колба

funnel _n – воронка

glassware _n – стеклянная посуда

harmful _adj – вредный, опасный

ignite _v – зажигать

improve _v – улучшать, совершенствовать

laboratory bench – лабораторный стол

odour _n – запах

overall _n – _зд. (рабочий) халат

poisonous _adj – ядовитый

porcelain _n – фарфор

protective goggles – защитные очки

safety rules – правила безопасности

test-tube _n – пробирка

vapour _n – пар

ventilating hood – вытяжной шкаф

workshop _n – мастерская

II. Read the international words. Say what Russian words help to define their meaning. Consult a dictionary if necessary. Define the part of speech they belong to.

Corrosive, test, analytical, industrial, gas, to ventilate, apparatus, quartz, platinum, chlorine, phosphorus.

III. Read and translate the sentences paying attention to the word one used as an indefinite pronoun. Study the example below.

Example: One must write tests to enter the University. – Необходимо пройти тестирование, чтобы поступить в университет.

1. One must follow the rules of behaviour in the chemistry laboratory.

1. In the University laboratory one can carry out many interesting experiments.

2. One never knows what may happen to this old device.

2. One must wear special clothes in the chemistry laboratory.

3. When igniting a material one must be careful.

IV. Read and translate the text. Laboratory

The word laboratory is used to denote any room or building for experiments in science. Scientists carry out different kinds of research to improve and to extend the knowledge of natural laws. The work-room of a chemist and a testing-room at an industrial enterprise are also called laboratories.

In earlier days people called the places for chemical work simply a workshop. They also used these workshops for making drugs.

Nowadays laboratories can be found in educational institutions (such as University, Institute, Academy etc.) to practice scientific and technical knowledge by means of experiments.

There are some chemistry laboratories at Kemerovo State University. All laboratories are almost alike. These are large rooms where students and researchers carry out their experimental work. Modern laboratories of inorganic as well as organic and analytical chemistry are provided with gas and running water. Every laboratory is to be provided with ventilating hood for the escape of harmful and unpleasant vapours and odours. Every lab has to be lit up very well.

There are many laboratory benches with a great number of drawers in every laboratory. Different apparatus and devices as well as materials are kept there. Besides, there is a lot of shelves and cases for containers with chemicals.

On every laboratory bench one can see test-tubes, flasks, beakers, funnels, evaporating dishes. All this glassware should be kept in good order.

Various burners serve for producing flames. The Bunsen burner is one of the simplest and most popular.

Different crucibles are used when heating solutions and igniting materials. Crucibles are usually made of quartz, porcelain and iron. In addition to these crucibles some laboratories have platinum crucibles, but very few labs can afford these.

Every laboratory should be equipped with different kinds of apparatus. Everything in the laboratory is to have its definite place.

When working in the chemistry laboratory one must follow some safety rules. First of all, any chemicals should be used carefully in the laboratory, because many of them could be dangerous. Phosphorus, sulphuric acid and chlorine are among them. Some chemicals are flammable, they could be explosive under certain conditions if one tries to light them. Besides, there are chemicals that are very reactive with one another. So, one should never play with chemicals to see what happens when they are mixed.

Chemicals must never be tasted – they could be poisonous. If one has to smell any chemical, it is necessary to fill the lungs with air first, then sniff carefully. After work one should close all the containers with chemicals.

Special attention must be paid to corrosive chemicals. They also should be treated with care. If these chemicals are spilled or splashed on the skin they must be washed off immediately with water. One must wear special laboratory overall to protect the clothes working with chemical substances. Sometimes it is necessary to put protective goggles to keep the eyes saved.

So, any lab serves for conducting experiments and laboratory work only by specialists.