The experiments described in the instruction manual typically require a number of chemicals not shipped with the chemistry set, because they are common household chemicals:
* Acetic acid (in vinegar)
* Ammonium carbonate ("baker's ammonia" or "salts of hartshorn")
* Citric acid (in lemons)
* Ethanol (in denatured alcohol)
* Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda)
* Sodium chloride ("table salt")
Other chemicals, including strong acids, bases and oxidizers cannot be safely shipped with the set and others having a limited shelf life have to be purchased separately from a drug store:
* Hydrochloric acid
* Hydrogen peroxide
* Silver nitrate
* Sodium hydroxide