Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I want to know a few sites or places where I can get info on the Miller-Urey Experiment. I don't fully understand it. Also any info on where to get the materials would be appreciated.

Hi Vampro,

I'm going to move your topic to the physical sciences forum so that our chemistry experts can help you out.

Wikipedia has a good summary of the experiment here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller-Urey

While wikipedia should not be used as a primary source in your bibliography, often you can find good references at the bottom of the wikipedia page under the "References" section.

I also found this "How stuff works" page that talks about the early Earth and mentions the Miller-Urey experiment: http://science.howstuffworks.com/the-ea ... -info6.htm (this should also not be a primary reference, but it might help you get a better understanding of the experiment)

As for getting the equipment and materials, I would try finding a chemical or science supply store near you. You could also ask a local high school if you could borrow some of the equipment from them (they might have some of it).

You can also check out our approved suppliers and see if they sell any of the materials: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... lies.shtml

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions!

IMO: The goal of any good Science Fair project is to find something you are interested in, that you have the time, knowledge, and resources to accomplish safely in the time frame allowed.

I'm concerned you haven't thought about some of the aspects...
1) Do you have a means of sterilizing the apparatus?
2) Do you have a means for testing for sterility?
3) Do you have a means of analyzing the resultant solution for amino acids and other chemicals produced?

The simple fact that you are asking for help on where to obtain materials tends to indicate you might not have thought this one through well enough.

The typical chemical apparatus to do this kind of an experiment requires some expensive difficult to produce glassware. For that reason alone it isn't something that grade level appropriate.