How many of these items do you already have? We've tried to keep it simple for you by making the majority of the items things most people have within reach (both physically and budget-wise), and even have broken down the materials by experiment category so you can decide if those are ones you want to do. Here's an easy way to decide which materials to get: look over the list, and if the group of materials seems to difficult to obtain, just skip it for now and go onto the next group within the unit. Most items are obtainable from the grocery store and online (links provided below). You do not need to do ALL the experiments - just pick the ones you want to do!
Shopping List for Unit 8: Chemistry Click here for Shopping List for Unit 8.
We’re going to be using real chemicals in this Unit, some of which are corrosive, hazardous, and most are toxic. This Unit is NOT for small children or households with loose pets (so stick Rover outside while you work). As you gather your equipment for this section, please keep ALL chemicals out of reach and sealed until you need them. We’ll show you how to safely store, mix, and clean up your chemicals. You can order all your chemicals from the same supplier (links provided below). We’ll be using this chemistry set for the rest of the year.
Make sure you have goggles and gloves for all experiments, and protect your table (put it near a window for good ventilation) with a thick plastic tablecloth. You’ll be using clear, disposable plastic cups and popsicle sticks to do your experimenting, so grab a box of each to last the entire year.
Materials:
- Red cabbage
- Blender
- Liquids/solids to test (OJ, milk, baking soda, etc.)
- Sodium Silicate (from Unit 3)
- Ethyl Alcohol (check your pharmacy - this is not the same as isopropyl alcohol)
- Clear glue
- Yellow highlighter pen
- Borax (sodium tetraborate)
- Optional: UV Fluorescent Black Light
- Cool Blue Light Kit
- Iodine (non-clear, non-ammonia)
- Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
- Vinegar (distilled white is best)
If you are planning to continue your studies in Chemistry by going on to the next Chemistry course after this one (Unit 15) and then later the Advanced Chemistry course, then you can save money by ordering the C3000 kit now to use for this lab as well. It doesn't have absolutely everything you need however - here's a couple of items you'll need to get in addition to the C3000 kit for the experiments in this course:
- sodium tetraborate
- calcium chloride
- cobalt chloride
- ferric ammonium sulfate (iron III)
- limewater or make your own using calcium hydroxide
- phenolphthalein
- potassium ferricyanide
If you're not planning to purchase the C3000 because you only want to do this unit right now, here's the stuff you'll need for this course:
- Chemistry Kit Most experiments in this unit use chemicals from this kit. You'll also need to get Potassium Iodide with your kit and a set of metal tongs.
- Glassware Set If you don’t already own glassware just for chemistry, we’ve found an inexpensive set you can use all the way through college. You’ll need to get denatured alcohol for the burner.
- 2 right-angle (90 degree) glass tubing: these are rare to find, since they break so easily in shipping. Instead, order a set of short tubing and hold it over an open flame for a few seconds until it's soft, and then use tongs to gently bend it into shape.
Can I use my kitchen glassware?
NO. Use either disposable plastic cups or glassware specifically designated for chemistry. Lots of chemicals will adhere to the glass and need to be etched off in order to get it ‘clean’ again. Don’t take chances…everything that comes in contact with a chemical – including the measuring spoons – is now part of your chemistry set.