Chemistry set
A chemistry set is an educational toy allowing the user (typically a teenager) to perform simple chemistry experiments. The best known such sets were produced by the A. C. Gilbert Company, an early and middle 20th century American manufacturer of educational toys. Porter Chemical Company and the Skilcraft corporation were other manufacturers. In the United Kingdom, Thomas Salter Science produced a series of seven chemistry sets in the 1970s.
Typical contents might include:
- vials of dry chemicals
- wires or filings of various metals, as copper, nickel or zinc
- graphite rods
- a balance and weights
- a measuring cylinder
- a thermometer
- a magnifying glass
- pipettes
- beakers, retorts, flasks, test tubes, U-tubes or other reaction vessels
- cork stoppers
- watch glasses
- glass and rubber tubing
- test tube holders, retort stands and clamps
- an alcohol burner or other heat source
- a filter funnel and filter paper
- universal indicator paper / litmus paper
- safety goggles
- an instruction manual
Chemicals commonly found in chemistry sets include:
- Aluminium ammonium sulfate
- Aluminium sulfate
- Ammonium chloride
- Borax
- Calcium chloride
- Calcium hydroxide
- Calcium oxide
- Calcium oxychloride
- Calcium sulfate
- Cobalt chloride
- Copper chloride
- Copper sulfate
- Ferric ammonium sulfate
- Ferrous sulfate
- Gum arabic
- Magnesium ribbon
- Magnesium chloride
- Magnesium sulfate
- Manganese sulfate
- Phenolphthalein
- Potassium chloride
- Potassium permanganate
- Potassium sulfate
- Powdered charcoal
- Powdered iron
- Sodium bisulfate
- Sodium bisulfite
- Sodium carbonate
- Sodium ferrocyanide
- Sodium silicate
- Sodium thiosulfate
- Strontium chloride
- Sulfur
- Tannic acid
- Tartaric acid
- Zinc sulfate
Concerns have been raised[who?] over the safety of chemistry sets, so many omit flammable chemicals, or else contain them in such small amounts that they pose relatively little danger. Likewise, they may also lack heat sources, breakable glass, and strong acids and bases. There has also been controversy[who?] over the possibility of chemistry sets being used to create illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine. Many experts[which?] criticize these movements, claiming that they "remove the fun and interest" from chemistry, rendering the sets bland and ineffectual.
See also
References
External links
- Slideshow: Golden Age of Chemistry Sets
- The History of Chemistry Sets
- The Grinch Who Stole the Chemistry Set
- Chemistry Sets and Home Chemistry
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