Quote:
Originally Posted by Sideband
...make coal gas. Basically a small amount of coal dust heated in a test tube...
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That was one of my favourite experiments! Over time, I developed a more sophisticated version where the gas bubbled through a U-tube filled with water to clean the gas. I managed to produce a small flame, no bang luckily. The only problem was that the test tube used as the retort was inevitably ruined and couldn't be cleaned out afterwards.
I think my first chemistry set was by Merit. They also made model steam engines, and I had one, although it wasn't as good as those made by Mamod. Anyway, I digress... I well remember the introduction to the instruction book that came with the chemistry set. It started: "On being presented with a chemistry set, the first thing every boy wants to do is make a foul smell..."!
Little changes.