[.ca] Chemical Magic (ISBN 0486676285)

from the good ole (less paranoid) days:
This book describes chemical experiments that give visible and surprising results suitable for stage demonstrations. Presented as recipes with short descriptions of of underlying mechanisms (usually). What caught my eye was the number of classic demonstrations common in older books but now largely dropped from children's texts as too dangerous in ingredients required, or fumes and energy relesed. Many of the recipes are about buring or blowing up things (Yeah! ;-) * sugar cube treasted with conc H2SO4 black thing * zinc based powder that emits green smoke when spat on (thanks for teaching me this one Max ;-) * colored fire powders * flour cannon (did not mention that old quaker oats tin useful here.) I am in favor of teaching children how to safely perform dangerous science experiments, as this is the only way to learn to do such things properly, (since many will do them regardless) and anyway the kids would be up to more hazardous pursuits if the modest risks of the laboaratory are denied. If today's young people do not learn how to play with fire safely, where will we get tommorws homeland defense technologists to fight our nations Fovever War against religous fanatics? However I would not encourage experimemnts involving the burning of mercury compounds (see the blue fire formula) and the use of carcinogenic, flamable or persistently toxic substances like CCl4 or fluid mercury anywhere but in a proper fireproof ventilation hood. The book does mark experiments involving toxic (like CCl4) sponateously combustible (white phosphorous!) and powwerful oxidizing agents (my fav: Potassium Clorate). Unfortunately the short length of the text did not permit a more detailed discussion of precausions one sould take with such materials, like eye protection, long fuses and electrical igniter/detonators, and saftely practices like using very small quantities of reagents the first time, not permitting murcury to spill in places it could release fumes over time or form amalgams with other metals and never premixing oxidizers with combustables unless one knows the combination is relatively stable in the environment in which the mixture will be stored. I reccomend this book as an antidote the boring... libability concious \omaterial\c present in most high school texts, but would also require students doing these experimentr to read some detailed laboratory procedures text, and practice these techinuqwes in a laboratory under experinced supervision. The most valuable lesson then obtained is the attitude of cautious adventurousness that helps many of us to have a joyful time in the lab while still retaining all ten fingers.

Excellent for science teachers:
The activities in this book are not intended for home use; however, they work great as class demonstrations and/or student activities. There are a lot of excellent attention-grabbing results which, if not utilized as part of a core curriculum, certainly provide a memorable "hook" that can be used to teach essential National Science Education Standards topics.

A fascinating book of (almost) homebrew chemistry!:
Ford's "Chemical Magic" is a book which harkens from a past era when chemicals probably were more easily obtained than today. The reading is quick and fascinating, and his summaries of why things work are very nicely done. The result of passing time is that some of the materials used in some experiments may be difficult or even impossible to procure. However, you shouldn't allow this to dissuade you from getting this book - the experiments you can perform will provide you quite a lot of enjoyment. Caution, however, is in order: Some of the reagents used are corrosive, poisonous, or even explosive. I'd advise ensuring that an adult is present to supervise if you care to attempt those particular experiments!