Three elementry students watch gel polymers form in classroom activity.A polymer is a long chain of repeating molecules, like a long chain of paperclips. Polymers are everywhere from food to electronics. The properties of the polymer depend on what the repeating molecules are. Cellulose, the main component of plants, is a polymer of sugar molecules. Packing peanuts are made from styrofoam, another polymer. This activity will be using the polymer alginate - a polymer from seaweed to look at the structure of these polymers.

NGSS: 

5-PS1-2. 5-PS1-3, 3-5-ETS1-3

 

Documents: 
PDF icon gel_beads_1.pdf
Subject: 
Chemistry
Grade Level Range: 
Elementary (4-5)