Coolest Polymer Snow
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Materials:
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Instructions:
1. Pour two teaspoons of sodium polyacrylate into a small container.
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2. Measure out two ounces of water. You can fill a 3 ounce cup 2/3 of the way up.
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3. Pour the water into the container with the powder.
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4. Mix the water with the powder using a spoon.
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5. Pour out the mixture to see how the powder expanded.
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6. Explore the texture to see how the granules absorbed the water.
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7. Decorate your container with stickers or markers to make a snowman face.
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8. Cut a piece of felt that you can tie around the container to look like a scarf.
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9. Tie the felt around the container and secure it with a knot. Enjoy your snowman!
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STEM:
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Sodium polyacrylate is a hydrophilic polymer - which means that it is made up of chains of molecules that are attracted to the positive hydrogen ions in water. When it comes into contact with water, the granules absorb the water increasing in volume hundreds of times larger. Those tiny powder granules expand and start looking just like snowflakes. This polymer is used in commercial modern-day products such as baby diapers and agriculture to absorb and retain liquid.
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