FeaturesOctober 5, 2017

n Several round, sharp pencils n Water n Re-sealable storage bag n STEP 1: Fill the bag with water. Describe the bag by its observable properties. n STEP 2: Gently push the pencils through the bag. What happens? Describe how pushing pencils can be used as a model to describe how matter is made up of particles too small to be seen...

Materials

  • Several round, sharp pencils
  • Water
  • Re-sealable storage bag
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!

Instructions

  • STEP 1: Fill the bag with water. Describe the bag by its observable properties.
  • STEP 2: Gently push the pencils through the bag. What happens? Describe how pushing pencils can be used as a model to describe how matter is made up of particles too small to be seen.

Explanation

The bag is made of polymers. Polymers are long, repeating chains of molecules, and when the sharp pencil is pushed through the bag, these chains of molecules seal up around the pencil, preventing the water from leaking out of the bag.

Story Tags

Connect with the Southeast Missourian Newsroom:

For corrections to this story or other insights for the editor, click here. To submit a letter to the editor, click here. To learn about the Southeast Missourian’s AI Policy, click here.

Advertisement
Receive Daily Headlines FREESign up today!