Describes the use and handling of alkali metals in school laboratories and seeks to reexamine precautions which one may reasonably take before executing routine procedures since their use, even by skillful teachers, occasionally results in accidents in the form of violent explosions. (Author/SK)

Considers three common cases of localized corrosion of metals: pitting, crevice, and stress corrosion. Provides experimental methods for studying all three methods. Includes a discussion of expected results. (ML)

Describes a qualitative analysis laboratory in which students examine specific precipitates that can be used to identify copper, cobalt, nickel, and iron cations. The objective of the laboratory is to determine which test or sequence of tests unambiguously identifies each cation and to use the results to identify several unknowns. (JN)

When chitin and chitosan were added to growing cultures of Chlorella containing various quantities of toxic metals (copper and mercury), it was found that the presence of these materials reduced the toxic effect of the metals. Background information, procedures, and results are provided for this experiment. (Author/JN)

Discusses changes in the crystal structure of iron and steel when these materials are heated. Focuses on observations related to an experiment in which a 60-inch length of piano wire (No. 29 steel wire) is heated and then cooled. (JN)

An experimental system, suitable for secondary schools, uses Chlorella vulgaris to demonstrate the effects of mercury and cadmium. Very low concentrations of mercury or cadmium decrease growth, whereas lead or arsenic have little effect. Further experiments show additive interactions between mercury and cadmium and antagonistic interactions…

Describes: (1) a microcomputer demonstration of autocatalysis; (2) a safe alternative to ethanol and methanol; (3) a simple condenser for test-tube reactions; (4) a new procedure for studying the magnetic properties of transition metal compounds; (5) plasticization of the polymer PVC; and (6) some thoughts on polybasic acids and their salts. (JN)

Describes a recently discovered and translated work by Archimedes in which he constructed a balance to determine the amount of gold in an alloy of gold and silver. A description of the balance (translated verbatim) as found in Archimedes' work "On Balances" is included. (JN)

Electrography is a technique in which unknown metals are identified by the precipitates they form with known electrolytes. The technique illustrates both electrochemistry and precipitation reactions. Describes the technique, suggesting its use in science and forensic science classes. (JN)