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Topic: What chemistry set would you recommend to a high school student?  (Read 5945 times)

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Offline SlimNm

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I'm interest in organic chemistry.

Offline Arkcon

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Re: What chemistry set would you recommend to a high school student?
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2012, 05:08:41 PM »
Most of the modern chemistry sets are more suited to younger children, to try and introduce them to the study of matter and its changes, and scientific thinking.  A high-schooler needs something more intensive to succeed better in classes, perhaps some project suggested by their teacher.  Also, very little of organic chemistry is suitable for home use.
Hey, I'm not judging.  I just like to shoot straight.  I'm a man of science.

Offline SlimNm

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Re: What chemistry set would you recommend to a high school student?
« Reply #2 on: July 04, 2012, 12:57:34 AM »
Please answer my question.

Offline aliphatic

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Re: What chemistry set would you recommend to a high school student?
« Reply #3 on: July 04, 2012, 08:21:36 AM »
He pretty much did. Unless you are willing and able fork over alot of money for a basic glassware set and decent lab setup, then you're pretty much screwed. The materials don't come in traditional chemestry sets per se, only glassware sets and various standalone apparati. Reactions also often require larger volumes of solvent and reactant than are practical to include in a set. Often organic reagents are controlled substances, due to their use and abuse in the creation of drugs and explosives, or are just plain dangerous to have around. Companies will often refuse to sell to civilians, and law enforcement are often overzealous when they find out about home labs.

If you are very interested in hobby chemistry for personal or educational purposes, talking to any chemestry teacher may open more avenues of persuit for you. Their easier access to a wider variety of chemicals and equipment will make it easier to do everything, plus their knowledge, experience and training can help guide you to a fun, interesting, and productive endeavour. Often times they are very eager to have someone who is genuinely interested in the subject matter, and will go out of their way to help. Perhaps there are others interested, enough to start an after school club (and maybe get the district to fund your hobby).

That being said, sciencekit.com sells a decent Pyrex micro kit for a little less than 500.00. (local business plug, shop around) Scaling up will cost more.
 http://sciencekit.com/pyrex-reg-micro-organic-chemistry-kit-deluxe-version/p/IG0024828/

You can buy a pre made fume hood, or make one yourself. (350.00)
www.lcmlab.com/Small_Molded_Benchtop_Fume_Hood_p/244-0001w.htm

 beakers, flasks, burners, hotplates (45.00, 55.00, 25.00, 225.00)
 http://sciencekit.com/griffin-low-form-pyrex-beakers/p/IG0027881/
 http://sciencekit.com/boiling-flasks-flat-bottom-mdash-pyrex/p/IG0026034/
 http://sciencekit.com/adjustable-bunsen-burners/p/IG0025780/
 http://sciencekit.com/the-student-hotplate-stirrer/p/IG0051484/

As for chemicals, they will have to be procured online through various companies, and good luck with that. Remember grocery, automotive, and hardware stores can be your friend, but anything you get there is usually not pure and will have to be purified.

Good luck, and have fun!
« Last Edit: July 04, 2012, 08:34:20 AM by aliphatic »
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Offline vmelkon

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Re: What chemistry set would you recommend to a high school student?
« Reply #4 on: July 14, 2012, 06:46:29 AM »
If those pyrex kits and sets of 6 and 12 are expensive, you can always head on over to ebay and search for used equipment and chinese made glassware (laboy) and india made glassware (bomex).
It is a good idea to get a distillation kit. I find it really useful.
There is a bunch of other things you will need like a heater, a magnetic stirrer, scale, gloves, goggles, face sheild, vacuum pump, buchner funnel, filter papers.

Not to mention the chemicals.
It is going to cost you $$$.


Buy chemicals
http://galliumsource.com/
http://unitednuclear.com/
http://www.elementalscientific.net/ (they sell to citizens in small quantities)
http://stores.ebay.com/Advanced-Raw-Materials/_i.html?rt=nc&_sid=1084659261&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1581&_pgn=4
http://www.artcraftchemicals.com/products/

These guys have lots of interesting kits but they are in the netherlands
http://labstuff.nl/contents/nl/d135.html

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