That's the Way the Ball Bounces: Level 3
Source Institutions
-
University of Southern Mississippi
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In this activity, learners prepare four polymer elastomers and then compare their physical properties, such as texture, color, volume, density, and bounce height. This activity is a fun way for learners to become more familiar with polymers and their uses. Safety note: The "Teacher Notes for Level 3" link contains a number of safety guidelines that should be read before doing this activity.
- 10 to 30 minutes
- 1 to 2 hours
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 14 - adult
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity, Lesson/Lesson Plan
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Elmer's White Glue-All (30 mL)
- Elmer's Blue Glue Gel (30 mL)
- Borax powder, Na2B4O7•10H2O (1 g)
- Liquid latex rubber, from local craft or hobby store (15 mL)
- 5% acetic acid solution, CH3COOH(aq), (household vinegar) (15 mL)
- Saturated sodium silicate solution, Na2SiO3(aq) (12 mL)
- 50% ethanol solution, C2H5OH(aq) (3 mL)
- Small disposable plastic cups
- Plastic stirring rod or wooden stick
- Tap water
- Small sealable plastic bags
- Paper Towels
- Balance
- Weighing boats or weighing paper
- Meter stick and/or metric ruler
- Small length of string
- Graduated cylinder
Subjects
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering
- Chemical Engineering
- Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Data Analysis
- Data Collection
- Measurement
- Data Analysis and Probability
- Physical Sciences
- Heat and Thermodynamics
- Heat and Temperature
- Chemistry
- Chemical Bonding
- Chemical Reactions
- States of Matter
- Solids
- Structure and Properties of Matter
- Atomic Structure
- Volume and Density
- Heat and Thermodynamics
- The Nature of Science
- The Scientific Process
- Asking Questions
- Conducting Investigations
- Gathering Data
- Formulating Explanations
- Communicating Results
- The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Toys
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- see color
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
- Teacher Notes for Level 3
- Printable Version
- Instructions for Making Ball #1
- Instructions for Making Ball # 2
- Instructions for Making Ball # 3
- Instructions for Making Ball # 4
Includes alignment to state and/or national standards
Includes assesments for student learning
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- McDonald, Lauri; Sullivan, Ann
Rights:
- All Rights Reserved, Polymer Science Learning Foundation, ©2001
Funding Source:
- National Science Foundation RET Grant
