Lab Safety Flashcards
A toxic substance is…
Give an example…
A substance that can cause death by swallowing, inhalation, or absorption through skin.
Hydrogen cyanide.
An explosive substance is…
Give an example…
A substance with enough stored energy to explode.
Some peroxides.
A highly flammable substance is…
Give an example…
A substance that can easily catch fire.
Petrol.
A corrosive substance is…
Give an example.
a substance that can destroy and attack living cells including eyes and skin.
Concentrated sulphuric acid.
Describe safety with alkali metals…
Extremely reactive and can spontaneously combust.
They can react with water vapour in the air or in sweat, causing a violent reaction producing heat and a corrosive hydroxide.
They must be stored under oil, with a fire extinguisher kept near.
They must be kept away from eyes and skin as they produce corrosive hydroxides with sweat, causing blistering. Each piece of equipment must be dry.
Describe halogens and their safety…
Chlorine and iodine are very toxic.
Fluorine is the most reactive and too dangerous to use in a lab.
Liquid bromine is corrosive - avoid contact with skin.
All produce poisonous vapours that irritate the respiratory system and eyes, so they must be used in a fume cupboard to prevent inhalation of fumes.
The alkaline solutions made by group 1 elements are …. Because…
Corrosive because they are highly alkaline.
An oxidising substance is…
Give an example.
A substance that provides enough oxygen for a substance to combust.
Liquid oxygen.
