Diffusion of Water with Gummy Bears


Source Institutions


Add to list Go to activity
Activity link broken? See if it's at the internet archive
In this activity, learners investigate the movement of water into and out of a polymer. Learners test the diffusion of water through gummy bears, which are made of sugar and gelatin (a polymer). Learners compare what happens when gummy bears are submerged in tap water versus distilled water.

Quick Guide


Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes

Learning Time:
1 to 7 days

Estimated Materials Cost:
$1 - $5 per student

Age Range:
Ages 11 - 18

Resource Types:
Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity

Language:
English

Materials List (per student)


  • 2 - plastic cups (8 oz.)
  • Permanent marker
  • 2 - aluminum or plastic screens (4 inches by 4 inches)
  • 2 - Gummy Bears (different colors)
  • Distilled water
  • Saturated salt solution (6 oz. per cup)
  • Tap water
  • 2 - centimeter rulers

Subjects


  • Engineering and Technology
    • Engineering
      • Metallurgy and Materials Engineering
  • Mathematics
    • Measurement
      • Size and Scale
  • Physical Sciences
    • States of Matter
      • Solids
      • Liquids
    • Structure and Properties of Matter
      • Atomic Structure
      • Volume and Density
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Gathering Data
      • Communicating Results

Informal Categories


  • Food and Cooking

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:

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

  • Harris, Mary

Rights: