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.011
a   Bromothymol Blue, 0.04% sol’n, 30 ml   $6.00
CHEM.012
a   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.015
a   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.037
a   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  

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Science Is...
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