[the1element]

Okay so I'm only age 17 and am looking to major in chemistry. I love my chemistry class I'm in but unfortunately my teacher hasn't really noticed my interests towards chemistry, so I have came here for some advice, tips or anything else a beginning chemist could benefit from, I would also like to know if there is any good literature out there for newbies. I also have a few questions regarding some rather complex (imo) compounds.

The first question is Ceasium Hydroxide how caustic is it exactly? Has anyone here worked with it?
The second question is how safe is it to mix super small amounts of bleach and ammonia outside? (I would just like to observe the chlorine gas)

Thank you for your time

This post has been edited by the1element: 21 December 2011 - 10:59 PM

[elementcollector1]

I've never worked with cesium hydroxide before, but judging from the extreme caustic levels of sodium and potassium hydroxides, I'd say it's as bad as they are, if not worse.
As to the second, it should be safe provided you don't make too much. Also, the chlorine might be hard to see, given that it's a very pale lime green gas (it can only be seen in an ampoule while over a white surface, like paper).
Hope that helps!

[Xittenn]

the1element, on 21 December 2011 - 10:55 PM, said:

I would also like to know if there is any good literature out there for newbies.

Getting the right or the best textbook is always of importance, and choosing the best text can be difficult. Most general subject texts provide sufficient overview of what you should already know so that you could read it to completion. So if you pick up a book on Organic Chemistry, you will be more aware of the subject matter when you enter into your degree.

I like to gain exposure to a subject before I am formally educated in it. There have been times however, where I have taken longer on the details of problems because I wasn't adequately prepared in the basics. High School textbooks are a great source of information, and a more thorough reading of the material than presented in class can reveal many details left out by the instructor about the subject.

Being that you are so close to entering into post-secondary, you might want to save your pocket money, and raid your local public libraries chem section. Also, novelty tends not be a good reason to pursue a subject. Going ahead and reading some of the texts might enlighten you to the formal nature of the subject, and may affect how you feel about your future investment.