Day 5: Materials

Activity 1: What Are Polymers?

What is a polymer? A large molecule that is made up of a number of individual molecules (called monomers) that are attached in a chain. Watch the video below to hear and see Dr. Baumgartner explain how polymer chains form and move.

Activity 2: Dissolving Polystyrene (Styrofoam) in Acetone

The polymer that is used to make styrofoam is called polystyrene. This polymer dissolves in the solvent acetone, which is a component of fingernail polish remover. Watch Dr. Baumgartner and the kids dissolve a styrofoam cup in a small amount of acetone liquid below.

Activity 3: Crosslinking Latex

Latex is a polymer that is used to make rubber gloves and balloons. Latex in only its chain form does not stretch very well since the chains are not connected together (called crosslinking). In this activity, you took latex and added vinegar and water to cause the latex to crosslink and make a somewhat bouncy ball. Watch the process below.

Activity 4: Can You Push a Knitting Needle Through a Latex Balloon?

Watch Dr. Baumgartner try and push a knitting needle through (the chains) of a latex balloon without popping it. It's not as easy as you think but it can be done.

Activity 5: Making Slime

Slime can be made by reacting polyvinyl alcohol and borax. The borax causes the polyvinyl alcohol chains to become crosslinked to form the slime. Watch the process and the results below.

Activity 6: Making Gluep

Gluep is another polymer that can be made by crosslinking with borax. In this case, you can crosslink Elmer's white glue with borax to form gluep. Watch the process below.

Activity 7: Cornstarch Putty

Mixing powdered cornstarch with water creates a polymer that has very unique properties. When you press down on it, it's a solid. However, when you cut it with a knife, it flows back together like a liquid. Watch a very messy demonstration below.

Activity 7: Polyurethane

Polyurethane is a polymer that is formed when two chemicals are mixed together. The reaction forms a polymer and also carbon dioxide gas, which causes the material to be lightweight. Polyurethane is used as insulation and also in objects that float in water. Watch its spectacular formation below.

Activity 8: Instant Snow

Instant slow is a material that absorbs water and puffs up to form a polymer that looks like snow. You received some of this to use at home. Watch a quick demonstration of its mixture with water.

Activity 9: Magic Sand

Regular sand mixes well with water because it is polar. Magic sand is coated with a material that does not mix with water (nonpolar). Magic sand will clump together in water but when you spoon it out, it is still dry. You received a sample of this. Watch a short demonstration of it below.

Activity 10: Liquid Nitrogen

Nitrogen is a gas at room temperature and the major component of air in the atmosphere. It can be cooled to a very low temperature to form a liquid. Watch Dr. Waner explain the properties of liquid nitrogen in Part 1, and observe how it changes the physical properties of objects that are placed into it in Part 2.

Activity 11: Spectacular Demonstrations to End the Week

Dr. Waner performed two demonstrations that had to be done outside. First, he started a fire without a match by reacting a mixture of sugar, perchlorate and a metal salt with a small amount of sulfuric acid. Then we see how long it takes for the pressure to build up when liquid nitrogen is placed in a soda bottle. (DO NOT TRY EITHER OF THESE DEMONSTRATIONS AT HOME!!)