I wondered that myself when I first saw it offered. I had to purchase a lab kit which consisted of the following items:
* 1) Traceable spatula balance (calibrated)
* 1) cardboard test tube rack
* 1) pack of (25) student grade filter paper
* 1) plastic 100mL graduated cylinder
* 6) plastic spoon/spatula type things (open on each end)
* 10) plastic 1mL graduated droppers
* 1) wide strip of unidentified paper. It's thicker than normal paper, almost like vellum
* 2) 16oz clear plastic cups
* 1) thermometer (max 120 deg F/ 50 deg C)
* 1) 30mL plastic bottle to hold phenolphthalein indicator solution
* 1) 65mm plastic funnel
* 5) plastic microscope slides
* 1) glass test tube
* 10) plastic test tubes
* 1) 250mL graduated beaker
* 2) 1mL pipettes and rubber squeeze bulb
* 1) paper "spot plate" in a plastic sleeve
* 1) container each of:
o Blue litmus paper
o Red litmus paper
o Phenolphthalein test paper
o Universal pH indicator paper
* 1) container each of:
o Citric acid
o Sodium Carbonate
o Magnesium Sulfate
o Salt
o Copper Sulfate
There was also a lab kit upgrade for this class ($2) that had some packets of sugar (like you’d see at a restaurant), a container of yeast, and some glucose tablets.
Because I’m me, I went to a chem supply house and purchased some inexpensive glass test tubes with stoppers, a test tube cleaning brush & clamp, a glass stirring rod, and a plastic test tube holder. I also bought a small amount of phenolphthalein powder because I would rather mix my own solution than use the test paper. I also bought some latex disposable gloves, white vinegar, and a bottle of distilled water.
As for the labs themselves, there are about 9 labs and each has a set of instructions. For example the one I’m doing next is on pH and pOH and has the following instructions:
Part I. Collect household chemicals
- Locate at least 20 substances to test the pH for in your house. Try searching for the following:
[ul]
Beverages - Try a variety of beverages like milk, water, soft drinks, juices, or anything that you drink.[/ul]
[ul]Cooking ingredients - Look for vinegar, lemon juice, baking soda, baking powder, cream of tartar, sal ammoniac, and spices. You may try testing solids and liquids.[/ul]
[ul]Cleaning solutions - Ammonia, bleach, window cleaner, scrubbing powder, dishwasher detergent, or dishwashing liquid.[/ul]
[ul]Cosmetics - Bars of soap, liquid soap, shampoo, conditioner, face cream, lotion, toner.[/ul]
[ul]First aid - Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide.[/ul]
Part II. Prepare the Phenolphthalein Solution
Procedures:
[ol]
[li]1. Add a tiny scoop of phenolphthalein powder to a test tube.[/li][li]2. Add about 2 inches of rubbing alcohol.[/li][li]3. Place the rubber stopper tightly in the tube and shake until the powder dissolves.[/li][/ol]
Part III. Test the Household Substances
Procedures:
[ol]
[li]1. Set the plastic spot sheet on a level surface. (This sheet is the page protector with a printed piece of paper inside.)[/li][li]2. Place a piece of wide range pH paper on one spot.[/li][li]3. Place a piece of blue and red litmus paper side by side on the next spot.[/li][li]4. Place 2-3 drops of the first substance to be tested on the wide range pH paper. If the substance is a solid, place a small amount of solid on the test strip and place 2-3 drops of water on top of the solid. Make sure you add enough water to wet the paper under the solid.[/li][li]5. Place 2-3 drops of the first substance to be tested on the litmus paper. Be sure to get a drop on each piece.If the substance is a solid, place a small amount of solid on the test strips and place 2-3 drops of water on top of the solid. Make sure you add enough water to wet the paper under the solid.[/li][li]6. Place 2-3 drops of the solution to be tested on a third spot.If the substance is a solid, place a small amount of solid on the spot and place 2-3 drops of water on top of the solid.[/li][li]7. Add 1 drop of the phenolphthalein solution to the substance on the third spot.[/li][/ol]
Part IV. Read the Results
[ol]
[li]8. Read the results for the three tests:[/li][li]Wide-range paper. Read the orange wid-range paper using the chart provided with the paper. You may pick up the paper to make it easier to read but be careful not to contaminate other samples. Write down the approximate pH and indicate if it is an acid, a base, or neutral. If the pH is less than 7 it is an acid. If the pH is greater than 7, it is a base. If it is 7 it is neutral.[/li][li]Litmus Paper. Read the litmus paper. Are the spots on the papers that are wet pink or blue? If they are blue, it is a base, if they are pink, it is an acid. If neither spot changed color, it is neutral. Two papers are always used together so that you can identify a neutral substance.[/li][li]Phenolphthalein. Read the phenolphthalein. If the liquid is clear, it is an acid. If it is pink, it is a base.[/li][li]9. Check your results to see if they agree. Do all of the indicators agree that the substance is an acid, base, or neutral?[/li][li]10. Calculate the pH, hydrogen ion concentration, OH and the hydroxide ion concentration for each.[/li][li]10. Repeat for 19 other substances and submit a lab report as required by your instructor.[/li][/ol]
I have only done one, which was on acids and bases, last week and it was really fun conducting experiments in my kitchen.