[codemonkey]

Hello all,

I'm trying to source a few chemicals for use with my CHEM C3000 chemistry set.  Living in the UK, it can be quite difficult to source the pure chemicals from hardware stores and pharmacies.  After some fairly extensive research I have purchased the following products, and just want to verify that they are safe to use.

Hydrochloric Acid
This was very difficult to find.  I eventually discovered it is often used as a brick cleaner, so I picked up 2.5L from Homebase.  The packaging reads:
"Contains amongst other ingredients: Hydrochloric Acid. Nonionic surfactants<5%"
There is no indication as to the strength, but a similar product (that was out of stock) specified 5-10%.  My chemistry set requires ~7%, how can I test the strength?

Sodium Hydroxide
Often labeled Lye or Caustic Soda, I also found this available from Homebase.  The packaging makes reference to SODIUM HYDROXIDE only.  Although the packaging has changed, I believe this to be exactly the same as Max Caustic Soda (www.challs.com - this is written on the Homebase Caustic Soda bottle, and the Homebase website lists the Max version, not it's own packaging version).  If this is the case, it is ~99.9% Sodium Hydroxide.
How would I make a ~4% solution from this powder?

Ethyl Alcohol
I have a little alcohol burner that came with the set.  The set recommends that one uses 70% Ethyl Alcohol, living in the UK it can be very hard to purchase this.
After days of searching around town, I have found some Surgical Spirit B.P. that reads:
"Surgical spirit contains Ethanol 90% w/w
(Active Ingredient), methanol 5% w/w.
Other Ingredients: methyl salicylate, diethyl
phthalate, castor oil"
Will this be safe to use in my Alcohol Burner?

[codemonkey]

I decided to attempt using the Ethyl Alcohol;  I tried to mix the 90% solution (3 parts) with water (1 part), which should make a 67.5% solution - close to the 70% recommended by the chemistry set.  When I added the water, the solution separated into largely a cloudy liquid, and about 5% a clear liquid on top.  I quickly poured this away with lots of water, is that a normal reaction?

[bidiboom]

Codemonkey hi,

Both hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide are strong acid and base, and you need all of the safety tools during your experiments, like eye glasses etc., for some reactions may be exothermic (which means give energy, sometimes mildly, sometimes wildly).
Would you like to look at the link below, and especially the part under the "Safety" heading: 
http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/sodium+hydroxide

[codemonkey]

Thanks,

I safely made a ~4% solution of Sodium Hydroxide, I found a guide and it is very simple  I was really worried about the extra chemicals in the Ethyl Alcohol - I tried it out and it seems to work fine with no noticeable toxic fumes after 10 minutes of burning...  I am also fairly certain that the hydrochloric acid is under 10%, but I would like to find an experiment to measure it's strength if at all possible?

[Dan]

I am also fairly certain that the hydrochloric acid is under 10%, but I would like to find an experiment to measure it's strength if at all possible?

Titration is the usual method.

If you don't have any indicator, you could titrate it with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), using cessation of carbon dioxide formation as an endpoint. This will not be very accurate, but better than nothing.

[codemonkey]

If you don't have any indicator

Sodium Hydroxide?