Australia's Science Forum

Most of our measuring cylinders are plastic base and plastic collar. From 10ml through to 100ml. I have had very few problems with them and we have been using them for quite a long time. If one breaks I save the base and collar. That way if I have a base that breaks I usually have a replacement some...

250ml of solution ......101g iron(III) nitrate + 50ml 2M nitric acid (You will need 200ml of water.) You others out there can correct me if I'm wrong. Having a bad week are you? and it's only Monday.
Why on earth does the teacher require the solution to be so strong?

Having something to work around is better than starting from scratch. Just some adaptation on your part. The "Chemical Management Guidelines" from the University of Melbourne was useful as well and extensive. A lot of reading. Anyhow good luck with your task.

Hi linotas, Seem to have sent you on a wild goose chase with the "Guidelines for the Storage of Science Chemicals Third Edition 2005 Vic DET". I have checked a number of sites and can't find it anywhere. However I do have a copy of the document and might be able to email it to you if you w...

Hi linotas, You could start with Science Assist's Chemical Management Handbook for Australian Schools. Science Assist have developed a number of useful guidelines for helping out lab techs around Australia. Download their SOP's. It will save you a lot of time trying to write your own. I will continu...

Don't do it in the fume cupboard. I had some idiot teacher demonstrate this in the fume cupboard and the resulting mess on the inside of the cupboard took ages to clean up. This demonstration is usually done outside in an open area on a metal tray of sand. Kids can stand well back and observe from a...

We have had our metal test tube holders since the nineties or thereabouts. The head of department got sick of the budding pyromaniacs burning the wooden test tube holders. Haven't had a burning test tube clamp since. They are relatively cheap and easy to use. I think they are a great invention. :thu...

Conservation of Mass - Pearson textbooks Y9 & Y10
Y9 - uses 0.1M solutions of NaOH, CuSO4, sodium carbonate and ammonia.
Y10 - uses solutions of barium nitrate and sodium sulphate.
So far it works.

Don't throw them out. I've had mine for ages but they are diminishing in quantity. They can be used for any prac that involves insulation, drink cans with different insulations - measuring temperature drop, making energy wise models of houses (kids love to have paths and gardens using the beads). Mu...

macca, Those succulent chairs look fabulous. Clever you. Yes I'm envious cause I want one now. Unfortunately any succulents which come my way suffer the kiss of death on my back verandah, except for the mother-of-millions that even I can't kill. Fortunately I have long suffering bromeliads which ins...

Science Assist have an SOP for preparing animal and plant cell slides. The animal cells come from kidneys or fresh steak. The SOP details how to prepare both plant and animal cells. Have a look and download the SOP so you don't have to think about preparing one yourself. It even has instructions for...

There are some useful SOP's on Science Assist. Dissection procedures, some equipment procedures, use of safety equipment and some chemical handling procedures. All useful and ready for printing off and storing in folders.

Yes just cut them to size and the students do the rest, hopefully with proper guidance from the teacher. It is just useful to know how to set up the dialysis tubing in case you see a student struggling to get it done. I was originally shown by another lab tech to wet the tube under running water whi...

Yes that is the one I saw and although it was a combination of the two chemicals I thought the answer was relevant to your question. It will be interesting to see what the answer is to your original question. I think that if the solution of sodium thiosulfate is very weak that with further dilution ...

Check the ASSIST site. Yes, dilute with lots of water.

So it's a fire hazard is it? :cheesy: About time for a new cupboard? As for Remlap's broken fan that is a definite health hazard and should be regarded as such. Perhaps a visit to the doctor with regards to your health and some X-rays of your lungs for possible chemical scarring might change their m...

Yes, I was thinking the same thing. The doors to the flammable cupboard need to be kept closed completely. If you had an inspection by the fire department I don't think they would be very pleased to find the door ajar to let the fumes out. If your fan is going 24/7 it should alleviate some of the fu...

$20 for 75g is pretty much on the money for the agar agar. ChemSupply has agar agar at $122 for 500g. So the price is reasonable from the health food store.

I think you are pushing your luck with the gelatine. If you give the teacher something that doesn't work there will be no end to the complaints. Labbie's advice is good or just tell them that when the agar is ordered in then they can have their prac.

Same as Ian. Fresh solutions for the senior chemistry and use up the leftovers and old stock for the junior classes. If the sodium hydroxide precipitates in the bottom of the bottle I decant what I can and neutralise the rest before sending it down the drain. My stock of NaOH is stored in glass bott...