In Which A Silver Flask Was Partially Created and Minor Injuries Might Have Occurred

Today I was met with the opportunity to try the Tollen's test (to test for aldehydes). Having not done this particular experiment before, I agreed. Excitement ensued as I and the high school student (A.), carefully measured out the reagents and heated it according to the instructions. A beautiful silver began to form on the surface of the glass looking something like this:

 There was also a small instance in which I was given a few decisions in what I was going to do that day for research. Thus, I decided to begin two reactions that day (normally I do one).

This would have been fine, except for the next day was then a flurry of work-ups, columns, and clean-ups. I did finish, but not until 5:30 pm. There may or may not be some small burns on my fingers now. And there may or may not have been a point in which my small finger came into contact with something that turned the skin white and numb and was therefore put under the water for approximately 20 minutes while I prayed not to die.


Regardless of those perhappenings, the work was completed and the partially silver flask is now sitting waiting for me to finish coating it with silver.