Better Hair Through Chemistry

Submitted by smileadmin on Mon, 02/08/2010 - 12:14

Source Institution

  • The Exploratorium

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Description

In this activity, learners hook up a hair to a lever system and create a hair hygrometer to measure changes in humidity. Learn the science behind bad hair days, and learn how hair increases its length when humidity increases, making curly hair frizz and straight hair go limp.

Quick Guide

  • Preparation Time: 5 to 10 minutes
  • Learning Time: 45 to 60 minutes
  • Estimated materials cost: $1 - $5 per group of students
  • Age Range: Ages 8 - 18
  • Resource Type: Activity
  • Language: English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • Corrugated cardboard about a foot long and 9 inches wide
  • A piece of thin cardboard
  • A pair of scissors
  • A knife
  • A pushpin or other large-diameter pin
  • A straight or common pin
  • A strand of hair that's one foot long
  • A hot glue gun
  • A dime
Subjects

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Processes
      • Weather and Climate
  • Life Sciences
    • Cells
      • Chemistry of Life
    • Human Body
  • Physical Sciences
    • Chemistry
      • Chemistry of Life
Audience

To use this activity learners need to

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other

By

Paul Doherty; Linda Shore

Rights

All Rights Reserved, The Exploratorium,

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