Final answer:
The student should use a fire extinguisher if a liquid catches fire in the lab and evacuate the area if necessary, ensuring to follow all safety guidelines, including notifying the teacher if the situation becomes unmanageable.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a liquid that is being heated in a lab catches fire, the student should B) Use a fire extinguisher. This is because pouring water on a chemical or oil fire, which is often the case in a laboratory setting, can cause the fire to spread and become more dangerous. You should never pour water on a grease fire as it can cause the flaming oil to splash and spread the fire. Instead, a fire extinguisher is specifically designed to safely smother and extinguish various types of fires, including chemical and grease fires.
It is also critical to call for help and evacuate the area if the fire cannot be quickly extinguished or if it grows out of control, ensuring the safety of everyone in the lab. Students should know the location of fire safety equipment, such as fire extinguishers, and should follow all teacher's instructions regarding safe practices in the laboratory.
If anyone is hurt or an accident occurs, it must be reported immediately, and the teacher needs to be notified of any materials that are damaged or discarded.