Starting a Lab
Making Lab Materials
Some of the work of a scientist and engineer is to make what they need in order to experiment or test designs. Carver's case was extreme because he had to make everything! In this exploration we will be like Carver and make or own lab equipment.
Making a Graduated Cylinder
Materials Required
• Cup of water
• Clear plastic pill bottle or tube with parallel sides
• 1/2 teaspoon
• Adhesive tape
• Ink pen
Procedure
1) Find a small vial or container that has a regular cylinder shape. (A pill bottle, vial, or other container will work.)
2) Place a small strip of adhesive tape to the side of the vial (any tape that will adhere to the side of the container and that can be marked easily with ink). If you have a permanent marker or Sharpie you can mark directly on the side of the container.
3) Use a 1/2 teaspoon to measure water into the container. 1/2 teaspoon is 2.5 milliliters in volume.
4) Mark the side of the container where the water rests as shown below:
5) Add another 1/2 teaspoon of water and make a second mark.
6) Repeat this for the third mark.
Question: Now that you have three marks on the side of your container, how could you make several more marks without adding water?
Discussion
When you are complete with your process you should have a graduated cylinder similar to ones that laboratories have:
We will use our Carver Graduated Cylinder to measure liquids in the rest of our experiments in this unit.