Chemistry set

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A 1940s Gilbert chemistry set.

A chemistry set is an educational toy allowing the user (typically a teenager) to perform simple chemistry experiments. The best known such sets were produced by the A. C. Gilbert Company, an early and middle 20th century American manufacturer of educational toys. Chemcraft was another manufacturer.

Typical contents might include:

vials of dry chemicals
wires or filings of various metals, as copper, nickel or zinc
graphite rods
a balance and weights
a measuring cylinder
a thermometer
a magnifying glass
pipettes
beakers, retorts, flasks, test tubes, U-tubes or other reaction vessels
cork stoppers
watch glasses
glass and rubber tubing
test tube holders, retort stands and clamps
an alcohol burner or other heat source
a filter funnel and filter paper
universal indicator paper / litmus paper
safety goggles
an instruction manual

Chemicals commonly found in chemistry sets include:

Concerns have been raised over the safety of chemistry sets, so many omit flammable chemicals, or else contain them in such small amounts that they pose relatively little danger. Likewise, they may also lack heat sources, breakable glass, and strong acids and bases. There has also been controversy over the possibility of chemistry sets being used to create illegal drugs, such as methamphetamine. Many experts criticize these movements, claiming that they "remove the fun and interest" from chemistry, rendering the sets bland and ineffectual.