Final answer:
The best practices for sharing a lab balance include communicating and coordinating with peers, using the balance individually, calibrating the instrument before use, and respecting others by not interfering with their use.
Step-by-step explanation:
When sharing a lab balance with other students, there are certain best practices to ensure accuracy and safety for everyone involved. The best practices include:
- Communicate and coordinate with other students to avoid confusion and interference. This ensures that measurements are accurate and that the balance isn't accidentally bumped or altered by someone unaware it is in use.
- Use the balance individually whenever possible. This avoids discrepancies in weight due to varying techniques or multiple items being weighed at once.
- Always calibrate the balance before use if the previous person did not do so. Calibration assures that the weight readings are accurate and reliable.
- Respect others by avoiding distractions or interference while they are using the balance.
Ignoring others and sharing without calibration can lead to inaccurate measurements and are not advised practices.