Activity 2

MAKING SLIME

Purpose

To develop a working definition of chemistry, to consider the nature and purpose of chemistry, and to explore the fundamental characteristics of the three states or phases of matter (solid, liquid, and gas).

Instructions

Answer the preliminary question on the report sheet before making slime.

Slime is made by stirring a solution of one parts saturated borax solution with 10 parts polyvinyl alcohol and food coloring. (A ‘part’ may be approximately 10 ml)

Solution A: Weigh out 4 g of polyvinyl alcohol and put in a 250 ml beaker. Add 100 ml of water. Stir the solution and heat it until the alcohol dissolves. After all the alcohol has dissolved, remove the beaker from heat and let it cool down.

Solution B:

Weigh out 2 grams of sodium borate and put it in a 150 ml beaker. Add 50 ml of water and Stir until all is dissolved.

Add some food coloring to the polyvinyl alcohol solution.

Mix 50 ml of the polyvinyl alcohol solution (A) with 8 ml of the sodium borate solution (B) and stir until it looks like slime.

Preliminary Question

1) Define the word ‘chemistry’, and summarize what you think a chemist does.

2) Describe some properties of the slime.

3) Which properties of the slime suggest that it may be classified as a solid?

4) Which properties of slime suggest that it may be classified as a liquid?

5) Which properties of slime are common to both solids and liquids?

6) What do you think is the most appropriate category for slime, and why?

7) Is making slime an example of chemistry? Justify your answer.