Australia's Science Forum

Hi All,
Just wondering if anyone has had experience with cloud chambers. Our physics teacher are departing whether to get the traditional chamber that uses dry ice or the expansion chamber that doesnt require dry ice. Any help is greatfully accepted.

Thanks,
Helen

We not long ago had our labs refurbished but before that I had an exhaust fan for the chemical store which vented into the prep room! However, since then things have improved significantly. I managed to get airconditioning, not for me of course, but for the chemicals. A lot of chemicals should be st...

We get excellent results every time we use this method: You need: PVA Powder (chem supply Code PL032) Sodium Tetraborate (4% Solution) Food Colouring Make up a 4% PVA Solution as follows: Step 1:Heat 100 mLs of water to 70C, sprinkle in 4g of PVA powder while stirring. Continue heating & stirrin...

We use the Gratnell system which is similar to the Westlab (looks the same), It works really well particularly if you have the trolleys to match.
We purchased ours through Walsh & Company P/L. Service was excellent & prompt. Most items are in stock. ph: 1800682155

Hi Amanda, We put in Corian benchtops 2 years ago & I can thoroughly recommend them. The only down side we have is that our Principal over ruled our decision to go for a sandy colour & chose white instead. As you can imagine those dirty little fingerprints show up brilliantly. However, they ...

Dear Ian, What can I say? I have worked in 3 schools (1 in Melbourne) in the last 8 years & each school has a different idea how & when a risk assessment is aplied or needed. Having recently been through registration it was essential that we had at the least a folder containing risk assessme...

Hi Sue, We use the Southern Biological rings as well. Last time I had a set that we had had 12 months & a brand new batch which the students used. The results were the same as for the old & new so they seem to be able to be stored for a significant amount of time in the fridge. :thumbup: Hel

Thanks Rob,

So would they have used this in a prac in days gone by?

Helen

Hi All,

Have been cleaning out our chemical store & have found two chemicals which none of our staff ever recall using. Has anybody have any idea what these may have been used for in the past? Chemicals are Mannitol and Kaolinum.

We actually use 0.1M Sulphuric acid. Never had a problem with the reaction. I definately would not use conc. Sulphuric acid, too many hazards & wear & tear on equipment. Good Luck

what a about a silver birthday candle?

Thanks everyone. The plastic tumblers & petri dishes sound like a good idea for the future.

Hi All,

Our year 7's are doing their famous crystallisation prac with copper sulphate & alum. Every year we have beakers with crystals adhered to the glass. Does anybody have an easy way to remove the crystals?

Cheers,
Hel

Hi All, I learnt a very valuable experience after ending up at the doctors surgery with an acid burn. Instead saying no to a chemistry teacher who gave me 24hrs for a yr12 prac exam I smiled politely & said Ok. I worked back late to prepare the solutions only to find out she had written the wron...

Dear All,

Does anybody use the Logical Interface Ezilog USB data loggers. I am wondering how well they perform in a classroom situation & is the software reliable?

We use a wonderful fellow in Sydney who comes to the lab to do repairs on physics equipment. His name is J Reed ph: 02 99182911. I am sure he could help you but if not, direct you to someone who could.

Cheers

Thanks Guys,

Something I can do in my spare time

Hi All,

Have been cleaning out our chemical store & have discovered a nuber of containers with oxidised Calcium in them. Any suggestions on how to do dispose of this?

Thanks

Hi All, We have just moved into new labs also & not fitted out our chem store yet. What timber for the shelving are people using out there. Apparently chipboard is a no-no. Stainless steel has been suggetsed but the cost, maintenance etc, wuld be inpractical. I am also interested in what other s...

Hi Judy,

In the past we have bought Trysin From Southern Biological,
ph: 0398774597. It is quite expensive at $46 for 5 g. Don't know if this helps.

Cheers Helen