Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments: All Lab, No Lecture (DIY Science)

I bought this book because of a renewed interest in Chemistry, a subject that I very well on in college, but forgot most of twenty years later. Based on the books' description, I was hoping for a book that was hands on, would cover the basics, and would lead me into more advanced chemistry at some point. The book did not disappoint - it by far exceeded my expectations. The first five chapters of the book were preparatory - maintaining a lab notebook, safety, what laboratory chemicals and equipment need to be purchased. The author offers cheaper solutions for chemicals or equipment that could be made by oneself or purchased cheaply from a grocery/hardware store. The fifth chapter describes the basics of lab practices - making weight and volume measurements, working with glass tubing, filtration, etc. These important details were very beneficial to me, as I had forgotten all of them. Chapter six and on were labs, which started from the basics, and became progressively more challenging. The labs are grouped by type (i.e., separating mixtures, solubility, etc). Each lab starts with some background information, but it is typically brief. It is recommended to purchase a chemistry text (although not necessary to do the labs). I bought the recommended book, and found it quite beneficial. The labs are not "child" chemistry, like making elephant toothpaste or baking soda fountains, but are high-school and college level, and beyond. Dangerous chemicals are sometimes used, as is necessary if you want to do real chemistry, but the author uses good judgment and uses safer chemicals where possible. There are a few experiments where an equation or some important details are not given - it seems that the author is trying to encourage the reader to do some research in a chemistry reference text. There are also questions at the end of each lab, and some of them are quite difficult. The author maintains a website and forum with errata and supplementary information, and also hosts a Youtube channel that complements the book nicely. For a small subscription cost ($18), there is an addendum that contains an answer guide for the lab questions at the end of each lab, as well as over 30 additional labs. I highly recommend that as well. This is by far the best book for home chemistry that I have found, and I am thoroughly pleased with it.

This is the best publication for the home schooler or hobbyist since "The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments" in the 1960's. The reason for his desire to write this book is obvious from the first pages: The youth today need to be encouraged to explore chemistry to provide a source of solid scientists tomorrow! Mr. Thompson has explained in detail the use of all basic equipment, lab safety, required labware and chemicals, and proper handling and disposal of waste. We are taught not to be "scared" of most chemicals, but to "respect" them. As it has been over forty years since I had my last lab, many things have "become vague" to me. The detailed calculations and the how and why of them are definitely an asset. The sidebars by his friends and advisers, Paul and Mary, are not only helpful asides, but also add occasional but serious humor. The full color photos throughout are the icing on the cake. I find the answers and comments to all of the experiments available for a small fee online make this book a winner all around. In addition to the answers, the included supplemental labs to go with the book are a bonus. I urge you to check out his online forum as well. We can trade lab stories and much more there. Mr. Thompson is also "TheHomeScientist" with videos on YouTube that are a must see in connection with this text. You are not just purchasing a chemistry text, you are buying an excellent hobby or a future for a yet to be known scientist. Based on this book, I eagerly await his book on biology. Thanks, "Professor".

This is a fantastic book. I've been through a physics degree, two semesters of college chemistry, and a year of high school chemistry. I've never seen a lab manual so complete in nature, one that thoroughly explains myriad safety standards, various lab equipment, and a huge variety of experiments. It's not necessarily for the faint of heart: there are several chapters of safety and laboratory procedures before the first experiment is discussed. Given the danger of mixing some seemingly innocuous substances, it's warranted, but it's also not for anyone under the age of say, 13. But for anyone who wants a thorough, self-paced laboratory course, I don't think you can do better.

I enjoyed the book but it very frequently refers you to a website to get information and the website is no longer available with this information.. that really upset me because i need the help it was supposed to offer.

If you are serious about chemistry this is the book to get, I could go on and on about the many things within its pages and its vast knowledge from the author, however I will tell you personally its been a great tool, and have found it to go hand in hand with other chemistry text books, although Dr. Robert Bruce Thompson gives some lecture it is geared more towards on hands Lab Time, which is wonderful, and gives the suggestion to pick up other text books like Chemistry the Center of Science which I have along with some other stuff including Math in Chemistry which have helped focus and amplify Dr. Thompson's book as you get in more to the reading and understand better as the end of this book gets pretty advanced, but because it is focused on hands on and little to no lecture it can be a bit challenging, but from the start it's great for someone who is beginning the science joureny. Filled with great tips on where to get chemicals on the cheap, supplies, what basic needed lab equipment is used for, and safety tips and practices. When this book first arrived I started reading it straight away and as the day ended I was nearing the end. Couldn't put it down. There is a great voice throughout the book, and even some humor. Also there are notes and points of view from experiences from other Doctors in the field. After reading it I can actually under stuff like MnO2, HCI, and 55tf-32=23/9=2.5(5)=12.5tc looks complicated but is actually converting Tempture from F to C. But all in all this is a great book and I recommend it to anyone who is interested or know someone who is interested in Chemistry.

This is a dream come true -- a home chemistry book that is not just a bagatelle, but a full-sized lab manual and reference book (412+ pages). It's a serious book. Sadly, it will also be an historical publication, I predict, the cornerstone of all real chemistry of the future. Why? Because of the Culture of Fear: fear of chemicals, fear of glass, fear of litigation, fear of terrorism, fear of druggies (see Thompson's note about iodine on page 65). Already that culture has resulted in the death of the chemistry set, as noted in his Preface. In the near future, that same culture will result in the death of the chemistry class, too, which can easily be "replaced" by computer simulations and labs equipped with timid fake nonsense. (As much as I admire many applets that simulate reactions, as miniature works of art, I also find them disturbing as harbingers of the chemistry pseudo-lab of the future.) As that transformation continues, the day will come when KMnO4 has been replaced on the lab bench by a lookalike that pretends to do a few limited KMnO4-esque tricks and can optionally be sipped as imitation grape juice. At that point, home chemistry will be the ONLY chemistry, the only game in town. Then millions will thank Robert Thompson for having shown them a way back to the real thing.

This is great book to get started on home chemistry lab. It has quite useful information on various lab accessories and chemicals. It has very good safety tips. One thing this book lacks is the information on sources to find what chemical/lab accessories are legal to possess in given state.

As a child of the 50's and 60's, I was given Chemistry sets by Gilbert that were exceptionally good. Most chemistry sets these days are a joke. This book is a do it yourself handbook for learning chemistry. No frills, no long boring lecture, just lab experiments. The book tells you the chemicals you need, where you can obtain them. What equipment is needed to perform the lab. It has easy to read charts about what types of chemicals can be safely mixed, and which should NEVER be mixed. It can be a lot of fun, but I strongly recommend adult supervision of children for anyone interested in performing the experiments. This book is responsibly written, no crazy experiments. This can be a lot of fun, a great learning experience, and can be a great teaching tool for kids wanting to learn chemistry.

Libro acquistato per essere aggiunto alla mia collezione privata di libri su chimica e chimica applicata. Tanti esperimenti, alcuni facili altri meno. Sicuramente non adatto a bambini piccoli, consigliato dai 16 a salire. Per chi è già dentro il mondo della chimica applicata non aggiunge niente di nuovo, solo qualche spunto interessante (vedi chimica forense).

Ceci est un livre de qualité scolaire et meme universitaire avec des experiences qu'on peut vraiment réaliser a la maison avec un minimum d'équipement et de produits chimiques. Tout est trouvable sur Amazon, eBay ou simplement en utilisant des ustensiles et des produits de ménage usuels. Ce livre m'a permis de comprendre certains éléments qui m'avaient échappé a l'école. Je regrette de ne pas avoir eu ce livre quand j'étais étudiant. A mon sens, les professeurs de chimie du secondaire pourraient utiliser cet ouvrage comme manuel de laboratoire. Je me sers du livre pour illustrer avec des expériences le cours d'école à de jeunes étudiants qui trouvent la chimie trop théorique. Tout se termine généralement par "oh ben c'est amusant et pas si compliqué finalement". Mon garçon de 12 ans trouve ça très intéressant bien qu'il n'ait pas encore démarré la chimie a l'école. Nous allons pouvoir visualiser ensemble tout ce qu'on voit au cours de secondaire. Ceci est un livre scientifique et demande des connaissances en chimie pour comprendre ce qu'on fait. Il faut tout au moins se documenter sur le sujet de chaque chapitre si on ne possède pas (ou qu'on a oublié) les bases. Il y a d'excellentes références au début du livre dont "Chemistry: the central science" disponible sur Amazon (une ancienne révision conviendra très bien). Ce livre n'est _PAS_ un livre de chimie amusante où l'on explique comment faire des tours de "magie" pour "épater ses copains". Certaines expériences sont quand même impressionnantes et devraient éveiller des passions.

There are a couple chapters dedicated to good lab safety and precautions, and descriptions of all the lab equipment required to conduct each experiment, which I found very helpful. I purchased half a dozen different introductory chemistry and home chemistry books and this one is by far the best of all of them. Happy with purchase.

Para hobbistas (como eu) ou professores é um livro perfeito: lista de equipamentos, de materiais e de reagentes para começar a "brincar", além de demonstração de técnicas de laboratório e segurança. Só acredito que poderia ser melhor organizado.

This is a great book for any science enthusiasts or anyone seeking to increase their knowledge of chemistry it has fun exercises and experiments you can do at home while increasing your knowledge I would highly recommend for any science enthusiasts