This labs was from the Nano-links;
We learned about ringed versus cross-linked polymers, the atomic structure and intermolecular bonds. This lab fit well with Grade 8 Chemistry. We have done other labs with polymers when we made slime. This can be done before this lab to give background to the students:
http://chemistry.lsu.edu/Outreach/item1739.pdf
The students were amazed how much water could be absorbed by a little amount of sodium polyacrylate. The powerpoint was also great in teaching about the molecular or atomic level structure of materials and why if it important and how bonds effect properties of a molecule or atom. They also learned bout the difference between crosslinked and ringed polymers. We discussed the applications of cross linked polymers and applications of sodium polyacrylate.
This also was a great video clip. We also added salt when we completed the lab to see what would happen too.
