Chemistry Lab Safety Practice Test

When a reaction isn’t progressing as expected after adding reagents, pause and get guidance from a supervisor or TA. This is about safety and proper procedure: without knowing why the reaction isn’t proceeding—whether due to wrong stoichiometry, temperature, solvent, or incompatible reagents—pushing ahead can be dangerous. The TA can assess the situation, suggest whether to adjust conditions, change procedures, or safely terminate the reaction and plan the next steps.

Adding more reagent immediately can trigger exotherms, pressure buildup, or unwanted side reactions if the system isn’t ready for it. Diluting with water and continuing may introduce water into a reactive organic or anhydrous system, causing violent reactons or contamination. Stopping and discarding without instruction can waste materials or skip required safety checks. Consulting the TA ensures the safest, most appropriate next step.