Australia's Science Forum

Hi Judy,Yes it was me!!! As of yet I have'nt been advised about the printing of the summary chemical sheets.However, I have been continuing to print summaries.We are being audited next week so I will find out what the departments ruling is.OH&S have been slacko to contacting me regarding the out...

I wish you happy studies Rob!!!
Hope you don't forget to keep sharing your knowledge with us,as I, for one really look forward to your answers to our problems.
Cheers
Mother

We don't use any bromo-compounds in our school,but I looked it up for you and found that the container should have an orange dot and that means Years 11 and 12 can only use it!!! All organic bromo-compounds are toxic and many are volatile and form toxic vapours.They are skin irritants but may also b...

Hi there Annette I work in a Senior College in Dubbo NSW.Classes include: Years 10,11&12. Lucky you, you don't have Year 10!!!! I have put signage up on my doorways(2) into the Prep. room.This is for students not to enter my prep.room at any time.Must knock first!!! I have posters up in each lab...

I recently had a meeting with the Occupational Health and Safety rep.for this area and she told me that at their next meeting set down for 14th. December, they will be discussing the many print-out pages for each chemical.6 to 7 sheets for one chemical is a terrible waste of paper and a lot to sort ...

The actual wording at the bottom of the MSD sheets is: This document is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study,research,review or criticism,as permitted under the Copyright Act no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from CHEMWATCH.TEL(+6...

Thanks Jazz. THe site was most helpful
Mother

Hi Judygee Trypsin further decomposes proteins after the action of pepsin(we use pepsin) It is produced from trypsinogen by the action of enterokinase.and will only act in an alkaline solution.That's all I know about Trypsin as we have never used it. Needless to say I have no recipe.Don't know if th...

Hi all
Do any of you have easy pracs. for colloids,suspensions and solutions for Year 12 Senior Science. I have the usual pracs.but from past experience the students make such a mess with the mayionnaise sauces.Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mother

For all of you out in Chemtalk land.
Robb is correct in saying Chromic Acid is produced when Potassium Dichromate is acidified.You also need to know that Chromic Acid is banned in all Public Schools!!!! Chemical Safety In Schools Vol.2 explains why, in greater depth.
Cheers
Mother

Hi Lis This is my receipe for Litmus Indicator Blue and Red: Makes 500ml solution: Boil 10 grams of Litmus granules in 500mls distilled water. Let cool and then filter. To make Blue Litmus,Red: Just add drops of HCl until you achieve the red colour. Label and store in a glass reagent bottle. There y...

HI all
Thanks for the feedback!!! I had a look underneath my solution bottles and to my delight there was the HDPE symbol and some even had the number 2!!!So, I was using the correct bottles without even knowing.
Thanks again for you input
Mother

Hi Robb
Where would I be able to order these HDPE solution bottles from? Most of my solutions are stored in 1 or 2 litre empty plastic water bottles from the Supermarket!!!!! I'm wondering if other Lab Techs.do the same and is it safe enough to do this?
Cheers
Mother

Thanks for that info.Robb

We have used liver and potato for this experiment on a few occasions.However each time our success rate has been dissapointing.Does anyone out there have an experiment that will perform with a better rate of success? Helppppp!!!!!!!
Ta
Mother

Hi All On the subject of chemical disposal: I am updating all my MSD sheets as most of them are more than 5 years old.Phew!!! What a job.Anyway I have come across a tin of very old calcium carbide that is rusted!!! Do any of you know if this is a problem and if it needs to be disposed of? As I am in...

Hi there Just wanted you all to know that it is not the lab assistant's responsibility to do the stocktake for your whole school.That is the duty of the Head Teacher of each faculty to perform.In the case of the science area it should be done by the Head Teacher with the help of the Lab. Assistant!!...

My chemical store room is also very cold. The Bromine Water has kept quite well stored in the Toxic section.Can also be stored in the Corrosive section.Talk about confusing!!! However I always keep it in the cardboard box which it was delivered in.
Hopes this helps you.
Cheers

Helppppp!!!!! I have 2 Hoffman Voltameters and both have snapped glass pieces from the top where the taps are.Seems that the students use too much pressure when turning the taps that sometimes are stiff.I have used vaseline on the taps to help with the smoothness of the turning,but this can block th...

I have been looking for an easier way to cut glass rods apart from using a triangle file!!! I looked in the Haines catalogue and have immediately ordered one.Thanks a lot!!
Mother