episode 5: Chemistry & Education
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see where Dr. Pritchett is right now, Working with scifest
air date: TBA (friday) - 9:30am
TBA (Sunday) - 1:00pm
Article reading from: Chemistry Times; adapted from a news release issued by Drexel University picture from: http://www.chemistrytimes.com/research/Bending_ _but_not_breaking_--_in_search_of_new_materials.asp |
*If given the opportunity, what would YOU do with the team's MXene research?
*How would you agree or disagree with my professor in that "an understanding of chemistry is the gateway to unlocking the knowledge of the universe"?
*How would YOU explain the concept of chemistry?
*How would you agree or disagree with my professor in that "an understanding of chemistry is the gateway to unlocking the knowledge of the universe"?
*How would YOU explain the concept of chemistry?
Not nearly as complicated as the work reviewed in this episode’s article excerpt, or the procedures that Dr. Pritchett uses, materials science is a fantastic way to get introduced to the content area of chemistry. Here’s a fun project from our friends at ScienceBuddies.org to perform and experiment with! What is it called? Listen, perform, and then let me know what YOU would call it!
Next, you will make the Borax solution. Adding 2 teaspoons of Borax to 1 cup of warm water to a jar. Tightly secure the lid, and shake until no particles of Borax remain and the solution is clear. Once again, using the marker, label this jar "4% Borax".
Now we will add the 50% glue and 4% Borax solutions together in different ratios to see what properties the final mixture will have. You can use the amounts on my webpage (scroll down the page until you get to Episode 5 Data Information) OR you can make up your own.
Either way, add the correct amount of the 50% glue solution to a Zip-lock baggie, then add the corresponding amount of the 4% Borax solution. Seal the baggie, and using your fingers squish {squish} the mixture around to mix the ingredients. When the mixture begins to form a sticky glob, you can take it out of the baggie.
Cleanup Tip: If you have leftover 50% Glue or Glue/Borax mixtures, do not pour them down the drain. They can cause clogs. Instead, throw them in the garbage.
Which ratio of ingredients produced the best product?
- You’ll need a zip lock bag
- Water
- Glue (Elmer’s has worked the best in my classroom)
- Borax (also called 20-Mule Team household cleaner)
- measuring cups and spoons
- glass jars with lids (or something similar)
- a permanent marker and
- some disposable gloves (as it turns out, some people might get a slight skin irritation over handling borax),
Next, you will make the Borax solution. Adding 2 teaspoons of Borax to 1 cup of warm water to a jar. Tightly secure the lid, and shake until no particles of Borax remain and the solution is clear. Once again, using the marker, label this jar "4% Borax".
Now we will add the 50% glue and 4% Borax solutions together in different ratios to see what properties the final mixture will have. You can use the amounts on my webpage (scroll down the page until you get to Episode 5 Data Information) OR you can make up your own.
Either way, add the correct amount of the 50% glue solution to a Zip-lock baggie, then add the corresponding amount of the 4% Borax solution. Seal the baggie, and using your fingers squish {squish} the mixture around to mix the ingredients. When the mixture begins to form a sticky glob, you can take it out of the baggie.
Cleanup Tip: If you have leftover 50% Glue or Glue/Borax mixtures, do not pour them down the drain. They can cause clogs. Instead, throw them in the garbage.
Which ratio of ingredients produced the best product?