Chemistry Kit: Let’s break down the contents!

 Why should you look at the contents of a science kit?  This is a good way to evaluate whether or not to buy a used kit.  Additionally, you can get ideas for labs.  Some science kits are better than others; the eScience kits are usually good, especially the Chemistry kits.  These kits are issued by college instructors for online courses.  Sadly, the lab manuals are both customized and only available with a code online.  Why do the kits look pristine?  Students realize they can complete the lab questions without doing any labs.  Voila! The kits are resold online, making them a good value.  The one below is good example. 

If you zoom on the image, you can see a glass thermometer, pH meter,  nichrome, metal loops, an Erlenmeyer flask, beaker, pocket scale, graduated cylinder, pipettes, test tube clamp, plastic beakers, and more.  There are also chemicals, a ruler, protractor, colored pencils mini-kits, and safety glasses.  The pH pen and digital scale vary in price.  There is about $50 of materials.  How are these materials used?

How are these materials used?  Obviously, the basic equipment has loads of applications.  The beaker, flash, cylinder, and pocket scale are used in many experiments.   Below are a few labs which coincide with the equipment in the kit.

Acids and Bases: Here are instructions for using the pH pen to measure the pH of acids, such as HCl, or bases.  One caveat!  The pH pen looks cool.  They must be calibrated.  BTW, the pen does NOT remain calibrated.  Here are instructions for making buffer solutions, which at least are another good acid-base lesson.  Additionally you will come to understand why I prefer pH paper.

Basic Labs: The ACS Middle School Chemistry Lessons use the carbonates and other chemicals from the kit.  All of the ACS Middle School labs use household chemicals.    Some of the chemicals look as those they can be used for Temperature Change.

Calorimetry:  The coffee cup, lid, thermometer, and glass beakers can create a coffee cup calorimeter for a metal calorimetry lab.  

Flame tests:  Nichrome, metal loops and the chloride chemicals at the top of the photos are for Flame tests.   Flinn’s Flame Test Demo uses metal carbonates instead of metal chlorides.  

Gas Laws: Several gas law labs are described  here with the relevant apparatus.  This Ideal Gas Law lab might coincide with the equipment, if there is a piece of magnesium ribbon in the kit.  There might be!