A science Experiment to explore polymers creating slime

1. Exploring Polymers
A polymer is a large molecule
(macromolecule) made up of
repea3ng structural units
typically connected by
covalent chemical bonds.
When you seen this pen it indicates a 0me for you to
write down different informa0on about this ac0vity.
This informa0on will be needed for you to complete an
experiment report about making slime

2. Making Slime
Making Slime is a demonstra<on of how certain polymers
are effected by other chemicals, such as 'cross‐linkers’.
Polymers are used in nearly everything these days, such as
most kinds of plas<cs, nylon, and clothes.
We are going to use a borax solu3on (sodium tetraborate)
as an example of a 'cross‐linking' substance that connects
the polymer chains together .
(using a PVA glue as our Polymer)
Write a Hypothesis based on the above
informa0on before you con0nue
Use the words in bold in your Hypothesis

3. SAFETY FIRST
• Not to be fed to your pet
or baby brother.
• Not good for leaving in carpets or
on furniture overnight.
• To keep almost indefinitely,
leave in zip‐loc bag in refrigerator
• Not a bad idea to wash hands before
(so it doesn't grow mold) and
AKer (so mum will let you eat dinner)

4. Collect the following materials
3 teaspoons 10% polyvinyl alcohol
2 tablespoons of Borax (sodium tetraborate)
Water
Ziploc® or other sealable plas<c bags
CraK s<cks (icy‐pole s<cks)
A jar
A disposal cup to mix all the ingredients
Food colouring
Write a descrip0on of what the Glue and
Borax look like. Include whether it is a
Liquid or a Powder and the colour is it

5. How to do it
1. In the cup, mix an equal quantity of glue and water.
2. Add a few drops of food colouring.
3. Mix well with a icy-pole stick.
Write down a description of your new solution.
4. In the jar combine a tablespoon of borax powder with a cup
(250ml) of water - make a saturated solution of borax.
5. Screw on the lid of the jar tightly and shake the mixture well.
6. If all of the borax powder dissolves, then you need to add a
bit more. When you get to the point where no more borax
will dissolve the solution is saturated.
Write down a description of your new solution.
7. Now, add about two tablespoons of the borax solution to the
cup with the glue and water mixture and stir quickly.
8. The resulting mixture should be slimy or gooey not sticky

6. When you have finished exploring
• You can save your slime for a long <me by
puXng the 'stuff' into sealable plas<c bags.
• Dispose, Clean and Return all equipment
Note:
• If your slime dries out, you can add a bit of
water back into it.
• If it gets too dry, you'll have to start over.
Write a descrip0on of what the slime
looks and feels like

7. Now for the SCIENCE part....
This POLYMER is unique because it has quali<es of both a solid
and a liquid. It can take the shape of its containers like a liquid
does, yet you can hold it in your hand and pick it up like a solid.
As you might know, solid molecules are <ght together, liquid
molecules spread out and break apart (drops) POLYMER
molecules CHAIN themselves together (they can stretch and
bend like chains) and that makes them special.
The polymer you made should be kept in a sealed plas<c bag
when you aren’t playing with it.
Reflect on your hypothesis and the informa0on
about polymers to write a conclusion about
making slime.