CECsci.209


TITLE:  SUPERBALLS

AUTHOR:   Agnes Simon
          Greenfield School, Gilbert,AZ 85234

GRADE LEVEL / SUBJECT:   4-6, Science

OVERVIEW: The students will  mix two different solutions and
arrive at surprising results.  The reaction  - is it
chemical or physical? - will help child understand
molecules and polymers.

OBJECTIVES: The students will be able to:
1.  Demonstrate their ability to follow directions.
2.  Understand and be able to explain the reaction and
    polymers.
3.  Show an enjoyment   and appreciation for  Science.

MATERIALS:
25 ml Elmer's glue-all
5  ml sodium borate solution **
20 ml water (tap water is fine)
1-5  drops food coloring (optional)
popsicle stick or stirring rod
plastic wrap
plastic bag
plastic cup
measuring spoons
graduated cylinder 50 ml
5 oz. paper cup
**  To make  the sodium borate solution, mix 4 grams of
sodium borate (Na B O ) or borax  in water to make 100 ml of
solution.  Be sure it is dissolved.)

ACTIVITIES AND PROCEDURES;
Activity:
Time:  Prepare ahead of time the sodium borate solution.
       20-30 minutes to perform the activity.

Procedure:
  1.   Fill a paper cup with about one-inch of Elmer's glue.
       This should be about 25 ml.   (Using a graduated
       cylinder to measure out the glue is not recommended
       due to the clean up involved.)
  2. Using a graduated cylinder, measure out 20 ml of water
       and add it to the cup of glue.  Stir well.
  3. Add 1-5 drops of food coloring is desired and stir
       well.
  4. Using a graduated cylinder, measure out 5 ml of sodium
       borate solution.  Add it to the  glue mixture and
       stir will.
  5.   Remove the solid material from the  cup and pace it
       on a piece of plastic wrap.
  6.   Pull the solid off the stirring rod or popsicle
       stick, and let the material sit for a minute or two.
       The solid will be sticky for the first couple of
       minutes.
  7.   Putty is now ready to knead, roll, stretch, etc.
  8   Answer the following questions  regarding the physical
       properties of the Sill Putty-type material:
        a. Does it stretch?
        b. What happens when it is pulled hard?
        c. Roll a piece into a ball and drop it on a hard
           surface.  Does it bounce?
        d. Roll a piece into a ball and let it sit on a
           flat surface undisturbed.
           What do you observe?
     9.   For additional fun, take two different colored
          balls of material and place one on top of the
          other.  Observe.  Can you completely separate the
          two?
     10.  Store the Silly Putty-type material in a closed
          plastic bag.
     11.  Wash hands and materials completely when finished.

TYING IT ALL TOGETHER:  This activity  can be an
introductory activity or used as part of a series of lessons
on polymers and molecules.  Activities that  can used before
or after this lesson are the Rubber Band, Needle Through a
Balloon, and Glop  (made with cornstarch and water.)