Chemicals and Elements
(also see our "Lab Supplies" page for Chemistry equipment)
Many customers, especially around Christmas time, ask if we sell chemistry sets. When we first started Science Is..., we had to say no, since decent quality chemistry sets were extremely hard to find and we preferred not to sell the "wimpy" ones. (See www.thestar.com/printArticle/285993)
The reason this has been so difficult is the unfortunate state of society today where everyone is wary of being sued by everyone else. So, most "safe" chemistry sets available in stores these days have such watered down chemicals and poor equipment that they are quite dull, particularly when compared to the chemistry sets that were available 40 or more years ago (like the ones I had when I was young.... oh, did I just give away my age?). We have decided to take a stand and provide good quality chemistry equipment and supplies to the public. However, we still need to control our risk, which is why we reserve the right to refuse to sell certain materials altogether, and we will also refuse to sell to anyone that we determine, in our opinion, to be unable or unwilling to handle the materials safely. Please note the section below on the "Dangerous Goods Declaration and Agreement", as well as the section on possible additional shipping charges.
A few scattered elements:
CHEM.001 Magnesium, metal, fine wire $2.95/tube
CHEM.002 Magnesium, ribbon, 1 metre $4.00/metre
CHEM.003 Zinc, metal, chips, 50 g vial $3.00/vial
CHEM.004 Iron, metal filings, 35 g $2.95/vial
CHEM.005 Carbon (graphite) extra fine powder 6 g $4.95/tube
ELEC.06 Nickel electrode element $8.00 each
ELEC.07 Aluminum electrode element $3.00 each
ELEC.08 Iron electrode element $3.00 each
ELEC.09 Lead electrode element $4.00 each
ELEC.10 Copper electrode element $4.00 each
ELEC.10a Copper electrode element, thin strip $3.00 each
ELEC.11 Carbon electrode element (round) $4.00 each
ELEC.11a Carbon electrode element (bar shape) $6.00 each (5" long, 1" wide, 1/4" thick)
ELEC.12 Zinc electrode element $4.00 each
ELEC.12a Zinc electrode element, thin strip $3.00 each
ELEC.47 Brass electrode element $6.00 each
ELEC.62 Tin electrode element $7.00 each (nearly pure tin metal, NOT tin plated stuff)
ELEC.79 "Tin" electrode element, Tin plated iron? $1.00 each (this is the tin plated stuff)
ELEC.91 Bronze electrode element $7.00 each
ELEC.92 Stainless Steel electrode element $6.00 each
ELEC.93 Magnesium electrode element $6.00 each
Chemicals
We sell chemicals in small amounts for science experiments. Most teachers, homeschoolers and science fair students find this is a convenient way of buying what they need without purchasing (for example) 2 kilograms of something from a big chemical supplier, then have 1.995 kilograms lying around unused. There are limits to the types and amounts of chemicals we can carry. We have however, greatly expanded the number of chemicals we have available, due to customer demand. Here are some of the more common ones that we get asked to provide in small quantities. (As some of these materials are potentially harmful or even fatal if misused or abused, persons purchasing chemicals must be over 18 years of age and will assume all responsibility for the transportation, storage and use of the materials after purchase. The buyer will be required to sign a Dangerous Goods Declaration and Agreement to that effect, before purchase is made.) A word about shipping... MANY CHEMICALS CANNOT BE MAILED! If necessary, chemicals may have to be shipped by courier, as it is usually unsafe to send them by regular mail. Liquid chemicals are particularly dangerous. This MAY result in an additional shipping charge if the chemicals cannot be delivered by hand or picked up at our Calgary showroom. If necessary, the MINIMUM additional shipping charge for courier service is $25 per shipment (NOT per chemical) so it may be to your advantage to order several chemicals at the same time. Courier charges will increase with greater distance from Calgary, with the most expensive situation being shipment across international borders, typically into the United States. (If you do order from the USA, be prepared for a big hassle with U.S. Customs.)
CHEM.001 Magnesium, metal, fine wire $2.95/tube
CHEM.002 Magnesium, ribbon, 1 metre $4.00
CHEM.003 Zinc, metal, chips, 50 grams $3.00
CHEM.004 Iron, filings, 35 g $2.95
CHEM.005 Carbon (graphite) extra fine powder 6 g $4.95/tube
CHEM.006 Copper Sulfate (also known as Copper Sulphate or Copper II Sulphate or Copper II Sulfate), 50 g $3.00
CHEM.007 Sodium Thiosulfate, 40 g $3.00
CHEM.008 Potassium Permanganate, 10 g $3.00
CHEM.009 Lead Nitrate, 20 g $3.00
CHEM.010 Potassium Iodide, 10 g $8.00
CHEM.011a Bromothymol Blue, 0.04% sol’n, 30 ml $6.00
CHEM.012a Hydrochloric Acid, 10% sol\'n, 30 ml $3.00
CHEM.013 Aluminum Potassium Sulfate, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.014 Ammonium Phosphate, monobasic, 50 g $4.00
CHEM.015a Methylene Blue, 1% solution, 30 ml $8.00
CHEM.016 Calcium Acetate, 30 g $4.00
CHEM.017 Calcium Hydroxide, 50 g $2.00
CHEM.018 Ammonium Chloride, 50 g $4.00
CHEM.019 Sulfur, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.020 Aluminum Sulfate, 20 g $3.00
CHEM.021 Calcium Chloride, 77-80% , 40 g $3.00
CHEM.021a Calcium Chloride anhydrous, 40 g $5.00
CHEM.022 Sodium Tetraborate, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.023 Potassium Nitrate, 30 g $8.00
CHEM.024 Sodium Nitrate, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.025 Potassium Chloride, 30 g $3.00
CHEM.026 Potassium Chlorate, 20 g $8.00
CHEM.027 Potassium Sulfate, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.028 Copper Chloride, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.029 Lithium Chloride, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.030 Strontium Chloride, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.031 Barium Nitrate, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.032 Calcium Nitrate, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.033 Magnesium Nitrate, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.034 Strontium Nitrate, 1 g $3.00
CHEM.037a Benedict\'s Solution, 30 ml $6.00
CHEM.039 Zinc Oxide, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.040 Oxalic Acid, crystals, 30 g $4.00
CHEM.041 Calcium Oxide, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.042 Magnesium Oxide, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.043 Cobalt Chloride (Cobaltous Chloride), 1 g $4.00
CHEM.044 Iron Chloride (Ferric Chloride, Iron (III) Chloride), 10 g $4.00
CHEM.045 Sodium Bisulfite, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.046 Potassium Dichromate, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.047 Polyvinyl Alcohol, solid (comes with instructions and slime recipe), 20 g $4.00
CHEM.048 Magnesium Chloride, 50 g $5.00
CHEM.049 Urea, 40 g $5.00
CHEM.052 Magnesium Sulfate, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.053 Sodium Hydroxide, 50 g $4.00
CHEM.054a Glycerine, 100 ml $5.00
CHEM.055a Phenolphthalein, 30 ml, 0.5% solution in 70% isopropyl alcohol $8.00
CHEM.057B Copper, metal shavings/chips, Grade "B" shredded recycled wire. 50 g $3.00
NOTE: Not a pure substance. May contain up to 10% contaminants, notably tin/solder, plastic bits.
(For clean, solid copper, see ELEC.10 above)
CHEM.059 Barium Chloride, dihydrate, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.060 Sodium Sulfate, 50 g $4.00
CHEM.061a Iodine Solution for starch test, 30 ml $8.00
CHEM.062 Nickel Sulfate 6-hydrate, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.063a Sulfuric Acid, 0.5 M solution, 30 ml $4.00 (This is NOT concentrated sulfuric acid, so don\'t ask)
CHEM.064 Manganese Dioxide, 85%, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.065a Silver Nitrate, 0.1 M solution, 30 ml $8.00
CHEM.066 Copper Sulfate, anhydrous, 10 g $4.00 (Anhydrous means "without water". Unless your activity specifically states you need this more expensive chemical, the cheaper, regular Copper Sulfate - CHEM.06 - will probably do just fine.)
CHEM.067 Copper Nitrate (Cupric Nitrate), 10 g $3.00
CHEM.068 Citric Acid, 40 g $3.00
CHEM.069 Sodium Carbonate, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.070 Lycopodium Powder, 10 g $10.00
CHEM.071 Ethyl Alcohol, 90.7% ("Reagent Alcohol"), 250 ml $12.00 (Used as fuel for alcohol burners or to extract pigments from organic material)
CHEM.071a Ethyl Alcohol, 90.7% ("Reagent Alcohol"), 60 ml $5.00 (Used as fuel for alcohol burners or to extract pigments from organic material)
CHEM.071c Denatured Alcohol (denatured ethyl alcohol), 120 ml $5.00 (Used as fuel for alcohol burners)
CHEM.071d Denatured Alcohol (denatured ethyl alcohol), 250 ml $10.00 (Used as fuel for alcohol burners)
CHEM.072 Ammonium Nitrate, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.073 Sodium Iodide, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.074 Calcium Carbonate, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.076 Potassium Hydroxide, 50 g $4.00
CHEM.077a Biuret Reagent, 30 ml $8.00 (test for proteins)
CHEM.078 Methyl Orange Indicator, 0.1%, 50 ml $8.00
CHEM.079 Luminol, powder form, 1 g $20.00
CHEM.080a Nitric Acid, dilute (1 M solution), 30 ml $8.00
CHEM.082 Sodium Silicate solution for crystal gardens ("Magic Rocks" solution), 250 ml $8.00
CHEM.083 Zinc Sulfide, 40 g $4.00
CHEM.084 Sodium Acetate, anhydrous, 50 g $5.00
CHEM.085 Aluminum, metal, powder, 200 mesh, 50 g $25.00
CHEM.086 Zinc, metal, powder, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.087 Zinc Chloride, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.088 Methyl Hydrate, gasline antifreeze, 150 ml $2.00 (Used as fuel for alcohol burners)
CHEM.089a Phenol Red Indicator, 0.04% solution, 30 ml $8.00
CHEM.091 Congo Red, 0.1% aqueous solution, 100 ml $8.00
CHEM.092 Sodium Perchlorate, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.094 Iron Oxide, red, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.095 Iron Oxide, black, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.096 Iron Oxide, yellow, 20 g $4.00 Note: natural product, not pure
CHEM.097 Barium Carbonate, 50 g $3.00
CHEM.098 Copper Carbonate, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.099 Lithium Carbonate, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.100 Magnesium Carbonate, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.101 Strontium Carbonate, 30 g $3.00
CHEM.102 Titanium Dioxide, 50 g $4.00
CHEM.103 Iron Sulfate (Ferrous Sulfate) heptahydrate, 40 g $5.00
CHEM.104 Ammonium Dichromate, 20 g $8.00
CHEM.105 Boric Acid, crystal, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.106 Barium Hydroxide octahydrate, 30 g $4.00
CHEM.107 Zinc Nitrate hexahydrate, 20 g $4.00
CHEM.108 Calcium, metal turnings, 10 g $4.00
CHEM.110 Ethyl Acetate, 30 ml $8.00
CHEM.111 Zinc Sulfate, 20 g $6.00
CHEM.112 Aluminum Hydroxide, 20 g $8.00
Litmus Paper
100 strip vial, red litmus turns blue when exposed to a base (alkali) and blue litmus turns red when exposed to an acid.
INDC.01 Blue Litmus Paper $2.95/vial
INDC.02 Red Litmus Paper $2.95/vial
pH Test Paper
While litmus paper (above) tells if substances are acidic or basic, pH paper tells you how strong those acids or bases are. OK, we used to sell this as the old orange paper strips, 100 per vial, but we have been told by our supplier that those strips are not very accurate, and that is why they were cheap (at least they were honest about it!). So we set out to find a better quality pH test strip, and found one. So now we have pH Test Strips, 3 pad type, wide pH range (1 to 14), 50 strips per pkg. These are MUCH more accurate than the old, single-colour orange pH test paper that we used to sell. Unfortunately, they are more expensive as well. But hey, you get what you pay for.
INDC.14 pH Test Strips, 3 pad type, range 1 to 14 $14.95/pkg of 50
See the Charts section for our list of page size and foldout reference charts.
Also see our "Lab Supplies" page for more test papers and chemistry equipment.
"Magic Tree" Crystal Kit
Multi-coloured "blossoms” start to appear on this paper tree overnight. Assemble the 3 inch paper tree, place in tray provided and add the liquid also provided. Place the assembly in a protected spot where it is unlikely to be knocked over. Capillary action draws the liquid up the tree. As the liquid evaporates, tiny fragile crystals begin to appear on the tips of the branches. These crystals act as wicks and draw more liquid to their tips, where it evaporates and extends the crystals even more. Once grown, the crystals are extremely fragile. A very pretty display that means more once you know the science behind it.
MISC.30a $3.95 each