ABOUT THE BOOK:  For students, DIY hobbyists, and science buffs, who can no longer get real chemistry sets, this one-of-a-kind guide explains how to set up and use a home chemistry lab, with step-by-step instructions for conducting experiments in basic chemistry -- not just to make pretty colors and stinky smells, but to learn how to do real lab work:

• Purify alcohol by distillation
• Produce hydrogen and oxygen gas by electrolysis
• Smelt metallic copper from copper ore you make yourself
• Analyze the makeup of seawater, bone, and other common substances
• Synthesize oil of wintergreen from aspirin and rayon fiber from paper
• Perform forensics tests for fingerprints, blood, drugs, and poisons
• and much more

From the 1930s through the 1970s, chemistry sets were among the most popular Christmas gifts, selling in the millions. But two decades ago, real chemistry sets began to disappear as manufacturers and retailers became concerned about liability. ,The Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments steps up to the plate with lessons on how to equip your home chemistry lab, master laboratory skills, and work safely in your lab. The bulk of this book consists of 17 hands-on chapters that include multiple laboratory sessions on the following topics:

• Separating Mixtures
• Solubility and Solutions
• Colligative Properties of Solutions
• Introduction to Chemical Reactions & Stoichiometry
• Reduction-Oxidation (Redox) Reactions
• Acid-Base Chemistry
• Chemical Kinetics
• Chemical Equilibrium and Le Chatelier's Principle
• Gas Chemistry
• Thermochemistry and Calorimetry
• Electrochemistry
• Photochemistry
• Colloids and Suspensions
• Qualitative Analysis
• Quantitative Analysis
• Synthesis of Useful Compounds
• Forensic Chemistry

With plenty of full-color illustrations and photos, Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments offers introductory level sessions suitable for a middle school or first-year high school chemistry laboratory course, and more advanced sessions suitable for students who intend to take the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry exam. A student who completes all of the laboratories in this book will have done the equivalent of two full years of high school chemistry lab work or a first-year college general chemistry laboratory course.

This hands-on introduction to real chemistry -- using real equipment, real chemicals, and real quantitative experiments -- is ideal for the many thousands of young people and adults who want to experience the magic of chemistry.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:  Robert Bruce Thompson is the coauthor of Building the Perfect PC, Astonomy Hacks, and the Illustrated Guide to Astronomical Wonders, and has written many other books, articles, and on-line training courses.  In 1965, Robert, aged 12, built his first home chemistry lab in the basement.  More than 40 years later, he still has a basement lab, where he explores chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, and forensics.

HEIDI SAYS:  When I was asked to review this book, I jumped at the chance!  Why?  Well, I'm going to be honest here.  I hated Chemistry!  I was a straight A student in school........until Chemistry, that is.  I got C's (at best).  So, the thought of teaching Chemistry to my own children, here at home, really scared me;  I'll admit it.  I thought this book might be worth checking out because, with Ashley getting ready to start 9th grade and Biology, Chemistry is looming just around the corner.  I admit, I didn't have very high expectations of this book - I mean seriously, how great can a book on Chemistry be?!  But this book definitely exceeded my expectations by a mile.  Just that quote on the back of the book (and above) that says "Completing the laboratories in this book is equivalent to two full years of high school chemistry lab work....." got my attention in a big way.  This book will definitely be making its way to our homeschool bookshelves to be pulled out in a few years and put to good use.  Maybe we can actually make it through Chemistry.  Who knows?  I might even get an A this time around!

Share Your Thoughts

Jun. 22, 2008 - I'm nervous about chemistry...

Posted by proverbsmomof3

When I graduated from HS, we only had to have 2 science credits, Earth Science and Biology, so I've never had advanced sciences at all, yet when I taught HS I had to quickly pick up on them. And, although I did well, I'm not much into science. This looks lke something to check out later. Thanks for the review.

Edited by proverbsmomof3 on Jun. 22, 2008 at 11:42 AM

Share Link