Everything about Laboratory totally explained
A
laboratory (informally,
lab) is a facility that provides controlled conditions in which
scientific research,
experiments, and
measurement may be performed. The title of
laboratory is also used for certain other facilities where the processes or equipment used are similar to those in scientific laboratories. These notably include:
Scientific laboratories can be found in
schools and
universities, in
industry, in
government or
military facilities, and even aboard
ships and
spacecraft. A laboratory might offer work space for just one to more than thirty researchers depending on its size and purpose.
Characteristics of scientific laboratories
Labs used for scientific
research take many forms because of the differing requirements of specialists in the various fields of science. A
physics lab might contain a
particle accelerator or
vacuum chamber, while a
metallurgy lab could have apparatus for
casting or
refining metals or for testing their
strength. A
chemist or
biologist might use a
wet laboratory, while a
psychologist's or
economist's lab might be a room with one-way mirrors and hidden cameras in which to observe behavior. In some laboratories,
computers (sometimes
supercomputers) are used for either
simulations or the
analysis of
data collected elsewhere. Scientists in other fields will use still other types of laboratories.
Despite the great differences among laboratories, some features are common. The use of
workbenches or
countertops at which the scientist may choose to either sit or stand is a common way to ensure comfortable working conditions for the researcher, who may spend a large portion of his or her working day in the laboratory. The provision of
cabinets for the storage of
laboratory equipment is quite common. It is traditional for a scientist to record an experiment's progress in a
laboratory notebook, but modern labs almost always contain at least one computer workstation for data collection and analysis.
Lab safety
In some laboratories, conditions are no more dangerous than in any other room. In many labs, though, hazards are present. Laboratory hazards are as varied as the subjects of study in laboratories, and might include
poisons;
infectious agents;
flammable,
explosive, or
radioactive materials; moving
machinery; extreme
temperatures; strong
magnetic fields or
high voltage. In laboratories where dangerous conditions might exist,
safety precautions are important. Rules exist to minimize the individual's risk, and
safety equipment is used to protect the lab user from injury or to assist in responding to an
emergency.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Laboratory'.
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