The science
Sodium polyacrylate is made up of tiny absorbent polymers which are long chains of molecules linked together. Polymers are made up of many molecules strung together that form really long chains. Polymers act on what other types of molecules they are made up of so they can be rubbery, rough, sticky or gooey and in this case fluffy it just depends. In the presence of water sodium atoms will disconnect from the Sodium Polyacrylate and dissolve. When Sodium polyacrylate dissolves sodium ions remain trapped. When the polymers soak up water molecules the inflate and stiffen until it doesnt expand anymore. The amount of water that can be absorbed depends on the purity of the water. Sodium Polyacrylate can absorb up to 800 times its weight in distilled water but only 30 times it weight in urine. Sodium Polyacrylate is also the main component used in diapers to soak up urine.
Sources
http://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/insta-snow-science-experiments/
http://sciphile.org/lessons/super-absorbent-polymers-diapers-and-instant-snow
http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/basics.htm
Sodium polyacrylate is made up of tiny absorbent polymers which are long chains of molecules linked together. Polymers are made up of many molecules strung together that form really long chains. Polymers act on what other types of molecules they are made up of so they can be rubbery, rough, sticky or gooey and in this case fluffy it just depends. In the presence of water sodium atoms will disconnect from the Sodium Polyacrylate and dissolve. When Sodium polyacrylate dissolves sodium ions remain trapped. When the polymers soak up water molecules the inflate and stiffen until it doesnt expand anymore. The amount of water that can be absorbed depends on the purity of the water. Sodium Polyacrylate can absorb up to 800 times its weight in distilled water but only 30 times it weight in urine. Sodium Polyacrylate is also the main component used in diapers to soak up urine.
Sources
http://www.coffeecupsandcrayons.com/insta-snow-science-experiments/
http://sciphile.org/lessons/super-absorbent-polymers-diapers-and-instant-snow
http://www.pslc.ws/macrog/kidsmac/basics.htm
We poured water in slowly at first and watched it swell up then we put food coloring in the water as well.
This project is recyclable if we let it dry for a couple of days it will return back to its original powdery form.
We poured the tiny polymer particles into a pan.
Reflection
Looking back what happened?
Our experiment turned out very well although it was very easy experiment there was more to the picture than what caught the eye. Pouring water on the powder made it grow 800 times its size. It also became warm to touch.
What happened on a molecular level!?
On a molecular level I saw the very small powder swell up to many times its size and it also got warm because of the chemical reaction.
Did I get desirable results?
I would say yes I got desirable results because the goal was to make instant snow and instantly turned into a snow like material. It was very soft as planned and I learned what actually causes it to swell up so much. I think I performed very well on this project research wise I really like how I figured and learned the science behind Sodium Polyacrylate.
Looking outward collaboration?
I worked with Nayeli and Marco again and I feel that we work really well together and our team work helps us get work done. We all understand Sodium Polyacrylate very well now.
Looking forward whats next?
If I were to do this again I would try making and different more complicated experiment with Sodium Polyacrylate. Its a really fun to work with and I really like to continue exploration with it.
Take aways
Some wisdom I got from this project is even knowing what sodium polyacrylate is ive never heard of it before this, and now I so much about it and i could possibly teach people about it.
Looking back what happened?
Our experiment turned out very well although it was very easy experiment there was more to the picture than what caught the eye. Pouring water on the powder made it grow 800 times its size. It also became warm to touch.
What happened on a molecular level!?
On a molecular level I saw the very small powder swell up to many times its size and it also got warm because of the chemical reaction.
Did I get desirable results?
I would say yes I got desirable results because the goal was to make instant snow and instantly turned into a snow like material. It was very soft as planned and I learned what actually causes it to swell up so much. I think I performed very well on this project research wise I really like how I figured and learned the science behind Sodium Polyacrylate.
Looking outward collaboration?
I worked with Nayeli and Marco again and I feel that we work really well together and our team work helps us get work done. We all understand Sodium Polyacrylate very well now.
Looking forward whats next?
If I were to do this again I would try making and different more complicated experiment with Sodium Polyacrylate. Its a really fun to work with and I really like to continue exploration with it.
Take aways
Some wisdom I got from this project is even knowing what sodium polyacrylate is ive never heard of it before this, and now I so much about it and i could possibly teach people about it.