Better Hair Through Chemistry

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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

Keywords

Subjects

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

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • read
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Doherty, Paul ; Shore, Linda

Rights: