[MrGameAndWatch]

Where can I buy sulfuric acid in canada? I need it for a science fair project, I also need ethanol

[Dan]

Have a look here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_commonly_available_chemicals

Battery acid is sulfuric acid. Be careful with it, it's corrosive - always use gloves and eye protection. If you are diluting it with water beware that this generates alot of heat and may cause the water to boil if you don't keep an eye on it - slowly add the acid to cold water - do not add the water to the acid!

For ethanol you could get everclear from a liquor store (apparently you can get up to 95% ethanol!), or use industrial methylated spirit from a hardware store (usually 95% ethanol and 5% methanol (toxic) - don't drink it).

[MrGameAndWatch]

anks for helping but how do I remove the acid safly and is it pure? is there any other way to get it?

[Dan]

I probably should have clearer on this; I am not suggesting that you should extract the acid from a battery, but you can buy "battery acid" in bottles. Check google shopping for examples.

Battery acid should have a high purity, although it will probably have a significant water content - totally concentrated sulfuric acid will be harder to get hold of. What do you need it for, do you need very high purity?

[MrGameAndWatch]

I want to make the thunderstorm in a test tube demo, but I need Ehonal, Sulfric acid and Kmno4(have that). I live in canada but I dont know where to get Sulfiric acid. I know where to get Etanol now. I dont really want to spend more then $20.

this is the demo

<embed src="http://www.metacafe.com/fplayer/1315714/storm_in_a_test_tube.swf" width="400" height="345" wmode="transparent" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed><br><font size = 1><a href="http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1315714/storm_in_a_test_tube/">Storm In A Test Tube !</a> - <a href="http://www.metacafe.com/">Funny blooper videos are here</a></font>

[Astrokel]

Is the ethanol being oxidized to carboxylic acid causing the spark or something else?

[Borek]

Judging from reagents used it is ethanol oxidized by Mn₂O₇.

[Astrokel]

Judging from reagents used it is ethanol oxidized by Mn₂O₇.

thanks,i didn't know about such manganese compound and its purpose. thanks!!

Thunderstorm: "The explosion can be initiated by striking the sample or by its exposure to oxidizable organic compounds" ref: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manganese(VII)_oxide

[MrGameAndWatch]

I love chemistry, but im just learning. sorry but I didn't understand anything what you guys just said

[Astrokel]

I was asking what caused the spark(thunderstorm in your experiment) and Borek replied it was due to ethanol being oxidized by manganese heptoxide, and i quoted a sentence from wiki explaining why the spark happened, the underlying reason behind your thunderstorm experiment, it's good to know and i have also learn something new 

[MrGameAndWatch]

oh, thx for explaining that better

[MrGameAndWatch]

Well I got Some Bad news, I went to the only batery Refill Store in brandon MB, and they have The acid, but only to refill baterys and they wont give it to me. Do you know any other things its used for?

[omega54]

Hello - Perhaps I can help if you seriously still want to acquire sulfuric acid.
I have the link below to a company, called chemsavers, these people are pretty good when it comes to orders, I have checked there shipping policy, they mention to the lower 48, but do not rule out Canada, so read it over.
The links below will take you to the acid listing page, and thesecond should take you to their policy page-Good luck

http://www.chemsavers.com/servlet/the-S/searchpath/7279/start/91/total/97/Categories

http://www.chemsavers.com/servlet/the-template/policy/Page

Also check out my company's site for items relating to Nuclear science eductional products at www.nuclearon.com
omega54

[azmanam]

fyi, I set up that demonstration myself in lab over the weekend.  it's pretty cool.  you want about equal parts acid and alcohol, but not too much of either - I used about 2 mL of each, and that was PLENTY.  reaction continued for easily 10 minutes.  my KMnO4 was finely ground, but the bigger crystals worked better - one trial actually bubbled over, though, so don't go too big on crystal size.

[MrGameAndWatch]

Ok Great THX For The Link, But For The last Poast, I rather Buy Small Quantitys For A cheeper Price