Australia's Science Forum

Hi,
does anyone have experience with a limewater still (attached)?

Hi All,
we have some stereomicroscopes that were bought without lamps. Is there an acceptable stand-alone lamp out there?
ie tall enough and with a strong light?

Hi All, As a part-timer now and also as a Uni student I thought I would update my impressions regarding food in the labs...... I have never been able to influence the high school teachers here regarding a no-food/drink policy in the Science labs. If only I could, because when these kids hit Uni they...

Hi All, I can't say how much my colleague and I enjoyed the ASET conference at the Australian Museum last week. The venue was great, the food exceptionally well catered for and the display from the supplier superb. The information delivered was new, pertinent and blew our minds with its relevance to...

thanks guys - all good advice
~R

Dear Chem talk family,
Having found a dog skull (huge) on an outback travel (Darwin), I have bleached it and it looks fine. Our skull collection is looking good. I would like to cover the chalky look that it has now it's dried. Any ideas for a lacquer?
~Robyn

Nice tip Ocker,
have held them gently and stroked with fine emery paper but so scared of breaking them. However, they went black again at the next use. Perhaps they are so worn out from years of 2M acid. I think I will try to promote the use of water with a few drops of H2SO4.

Hi All, can anyone explain what is happening to our voltameter's platinum electrodes? Lately they turn black after a single use. We use 2M Sulfuric acid as the liquid but wash the apparatus after each use. We will hate to lose them as they are rather large (1/2cm x 1cm) and therefore generate oxygen...

Hi All,
has anyone got a lead for a poster for plant diseases?
Cheers,
Robyn

Rosalie, will do thanks!

Dear Rosalie,
yes, it sounds by your description that he is using the mercury for Faraday's experiment.
What a shocking time you had with your spill, really hope you got it all cleaned up. Will double my decontaminant order!!!!
Robyn

Thank you all for your advice. I am not happy leaving it lying around, too. Must get in some more mercury decontaminant as well.
Thanks dime - will look into your switches as well, sincerely hope they will substitute.
~Robyn

Physics teacher wants to do something about a mercury motor? That's all I know at this stage.......

Hi All and a belated Happy New Year.
Can my colleagues advise me as the whether it is safe to leave elemental mercury exposed in a petri dish in a room overnight? The MSDS does not specify its use to this degree.
Cheers,
Robyn

Hi Judygee, our risk assessment is part of the prac request form also. Each teacher has our proforma in their own personal colour (for quick ID)which they sign before we get them. Please let me know if you would like a copy of what we use...... If your school does not support the teacher in any cour...

I thought only a qualified electrician could do the testing?? Out school's electrical contractor does this.
Be careful, if there is an accident with something you have tested, you are liable. Check this out.

Funny, we have found that the numbers they come with stay on fine. The only trouble we have is with the corundum on the stick, we have to glue some back on occasionally.
~Robyn

Hi Sharon,
I have sent a message via your pm
Robyn

Hi Ian, thanks for your thoughts. The leads are chopped off because they came to us with bakelite piggy-back plugs which are illegal these days. That is why the leads were cut off (by me). Ours are regularly tagged annually so I guess the tag man knows what he is doing, however I will bring your con...

Hi All, we have 18 or so microscope lamps to give away, globes included. Picture provided. They can be used for light microscope work (iris diaphragm included) or as lamps for stereo-microscopes or as a heat source for raising chickens or temperature experiments. They will need a new cord. Can be ta...