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Gear, books and tools that make studying and lab work easier. What to look for in each, so you can choose well whichever store you shop at.
Safety goggles
Look for goggles marked ANSI Z87.1, and a splash rating (D3) if you work with liquids. Indirect vents keep splashes out; make sure they fit over your glasses if you wear them.
Browse on AmazonLab coat
Knee-length with snap or button closures. Cotton or a cotton blend is common for teaching labs. Check your lab’s rules first, since some courses require a specific type.
Browse on AmazonScientific calculator
Check your course’s allowed-calculator list before buying. Many chemistry courses use a non-graphing scientific model with scientific notation, logarithm and exponent keys.
Browse on AmazonMolecular model kit
Handy for seeing geometry, bond angles and isomers. Choose a set with enough atoms and bonds for the compounds you study, ideally with lone-pair pieces for VSEPR.
Browse on AmazonPeriodic table poster or card
A printed reference you can annotate beats a screen during study sessions. Choose one that shows charges, atomic mass and electron configurations.
Browse on AmazonLab notebook
A bound notebook with numbered pages is often required for lab reports and keeps your data trustworthy. Ask your instructor whether graph pages are preferred.
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