Australia's Science Forum

Thank you one and all. Your comments have been most interesting, liked the tip about using the draft to pull more stain up the stem, thanks Merilyn. I am not making the slides for the students, the teacher seemed to think it might be the plant matter we have been using that was at fault. I was of th...

Dear All - Thanks heaps for your tips on attaching gold leaf to electroscopes, much appreciated. I am seeking your comments on the movement of material in xylem and phloem using celery. Do you have much success when making a coss section slide with the dyed clelery stalk? I guess it is a technique t...

Thanks one and all, don't know what I'd do without you! Just love chemtalk! Cheers. Jude

Dear All - Just clarifying something! The resistors in the little clear screw-top plastic containers are to have water in the bottom when in use - is this right, and if so how much? I am assuming enough so as not to immerse/touch the coiled wire, is this correct? I have a teacher telling me he knows...

Maybe not, it might not be that expensive, you can only ask! Thanks for the information thats more than I knew last week! Let us know what you decide. I would probably consider doing the same if I were'nt about to retire! Judy

Thanks to you both, as it is urgent (surprise, surprise!) I'll try the local Spotlight - we don't have a health shop. Thanks. Judy

Any idea where I might purchase beeswax. Senior Science teacher making cleansing cream!! Thanks. Judy

Dear Nicky - No joy I'm afraid my certificate gives no more information! I have a notifcation of course completion in School Laboratory Techniques, Chemistry, School Laboratory Organisation, Laboratory Instruments, Biology and Geology and a Notification of Results in 6148 Certificate in Science Labo...

Dear Nicky - I did the same course, might have been 1992-3 and yes it was a two year course but at Campelltown TAFE not Bankstown, although if I remember rightly it was supposed to be at Bankstown and was changed! It was called "Science Laboratory Attendant's Course - 1128. I should have my cer...

The fact that the electrode has dried out may have caused irreparable damage -that's how we lost one!!!! I think the Sensor for the Data logger is the way to go - wish we could afford to do the same. Judy

Dear Rosalie - If your conductivity meter is one of Hanna instruments (as is ours) it takes 4 of the small round batteries that go into stopwatches, calculators etc. We are using 357/303 Energiser, these replace AG13, A76, LR44 etc, etc. When not is use the electrodes need to be kept in a storage so...

Success at Last!!!! Thanks guys. Jude

Thanks everyone - I'll ditch the ice junction and try again with the multimeter/micro-ammeter see if that helps and if not try the galvanometer. You've been most helpful. Cheers. Judy

Thank you for that Lada, we are not having any success!! What thickness is the wire? The wire we are using is 22swg, maybe it is too thick? Any tips? Cheers. Judy

Dear All - Has anyone had success getting a deflection on a micro-ammeter or multimeter using a length of Nichrome wire and two lengths of copper wire (ends cleaned!) Join one end of each copper wire to each end of the Nichrome wire by twisting together and the copper wire ends to the multimeter or ...

Dear All - I am planning to retire at the end of 1st term 2012. Anyone out there interested in the position? The add has gone into the local paper and applications close on the 21st October. I am thinking they might start someone later this term and it would be a part time position of three days per...

Dear All - Just got my e-mail on the "Status of School Science Lab Techs" - Haven't yet read through completely -however had to laugh at the Recommended Service Factor of 0.85 with a minimum of 0.60!!! Mine, like many other labbies is 0.32!! What irks me is the fact that I have worked on m...

Thank you both for you input - used drops of conc. HCl as it was quicker however when I'm given more time to prepare will try the other suggestion. Many Thanks, Judy

Dear All - Need some help please! Need to know the acid and concentration to acidify a solution of Barium Nitrate for a "Sulphate content in Fertilizer" for Year 12 Chem. I am assuming a few drops of concentrated acid but which acid?? Your input would be most appreciated. Cheers. Judy

We have both the Griffin filler and the pi-pump, and use them according to preference! The pi-pump (red 25ml) we bought from Science Supply for around $10. The little darlings remove the little ratchet wheel from the top and make them completely useless and they take the glass bearings from the Grif...