flickedbic - 9-9-2003 at 19:00
I first visited this site when I was 15...and really liked it. But I was too young to try anything on here (I thought) and was not supported by my
parents ("If any chemicals are shipped to this house, they are going in the garbage!). I was reduced to dabbling with fireworks (dissecting,
dissemboweling, mixing, and repackaging) and other "KewL" stuff...
But I am finally in Chemistry! I have my first chemistry book, which I hope will aid in the deciphering of various chemical equations and
discriptions, in other words, I will be able to know what the hell you are saying!
Not only this, but my science teacher is enthusiastic about his subject and has agreed to let me come in after school and do some expiriments under
his supervision, using the school equipment and chemicals 
!!!
I was wondering what kind of experiments I could start out with... nothing that goes bang too loud!
Any ideas?
thanks in advance, -flickedbic
vulture - 10-9-2003 at 04:51
Oscillating reactions are neat and they show you some of the most vital parts in chemistry: catalysis, oxidation, etc...
Synthesizing bakelite is easy and you'll have your own plastic.
flickedbic - 10-9-2003 at 15:10
oscillating reactions are ones that heat up and cool down over and over, correct? (sorry, it's not in the textbook I got) Can you give me an
example of an oscillating reaction?
And bakelite is made from combining phenol and formaldehyde? Do you melt a 50%-50% mixture,
how and when do you shape it?
PS: I hope you guys wont mind me asking a bunch of seemingly rediculous questions, but we all gotta start somewhere, right?
JustMe - 10-9-2003 at 15:42
Oscillating reactions are interesting because they are cyclic and produce a series of "waves" (spiral or otherwise) which can appear as
changing color. (Oversimplified)
See:
http://www.faidherbe.org/site/cours/dupuis/oscil.htm
Ah, but what specifically interests you now that you have access to real reagents and equipment? I'm not into (nor ever was) things that go boom,
per se... but many years ago when I had such access I was fascinated by compounds of unusual oxidation states. Like the interhalogens, unusual
coordination complexes and so on. But, then again, I was into hardcore chemistry. I'm only a new voice here, and my interests seem to be outside
the general consensus. But I thought to add my 2ยข.
vulture - 11-9-2003 at 03:43
There's not really a general consensus of what you should be making as a member.
There are only 2 important things:
- Have fun
- Be safe
Please don't feel restrained in posting your expirements or questions.
AngelEyes - 11-9-2003 at 03:54
Just remember to do a search first in case the answer to your question has already been posted elsewhere.
flickedbic - 11-9-2003 at 21:13
thanks for posting that site, JustMe, it helped alot. I will definitely try out an oscillating reaction, it sounds interesting.
I just read mad scientist's post on synthesizing methyl ethyl ketone peroxide... would that be a little to ambitious, even under the supervision
of someone with 20 years of chem. under their belt? Well, I doubt I have to worry about that, no teacher I know would endanger their job by helping a
student synthesize an HE...
lol.
I also read something about a "floating bottle" in a post. Can this actually be done? (the "floating bottle" was actually a cover
story to some cops who came sniffing around after a detination...but it sounds like a good starter expiriment!)
flickedbic - 11-9-2003 at 21:20
"I remember I once set off a silly pressure-bottle in my backyard, and the neighbor heard and called the Police on me (The bastard). I explained
to him that I was trying to make a floating bottle using Hydrogen Gas, but the bottle exploded." - Samosa
Any ideas on how to get this to work, or is it completely quacky?
eidolonicaurum - 6-1-2014 at 04:54
If you find something that looks interesting, go for it! Dabble in organic, inorganic, etc. See what you like. You could try and put together an
element collection. That results in loads of experiments, and will keep you busy for a while! You might get to some really interesting but quite
obsure chemistry like that. But generally, if you find any interesting experiment, go for it!!!
Mailinmypocket - 6-1-2014 at 05:22
You may want to look at the date this person last posted...2003... I have a feeling they're long gone :O