Super Slime!
In this activity, we will make slime! While this may seem like play, slime is an awesome example of a chemical reaction. Chemical reactions are when we mix two or more things together to make something new.
Young scientists act like chemistry superheroes by solving mysteries and exploring how two materials can be combined to make a totally different substance!
While making slime, here are some questions to discuss with your little scientist!
What is a chemical reaction? How do you know when a chemical reaction takes place? Can you identify when the chemical reaction takes place in this experiment?
How long does it take for your slime to thicken? What do you think you could do to speed up the process? What about slow it down?
How is this slime different or similar to slimes you may have made in the past? What do you think is causing the differences?
Let’s Begin!
Materials:
6oz white glue (Elmer’s recommended)
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tbsp contact solution containing both Boric Acid and Sodium Borate (Renu Fresh of Equate
1 - 2 tbsp water
Food coloring (optional)
Directions:
Pour glue, baking soda, water (start with 1 tbsp and add more if needed), and food coloring into a large bowl
Mix with spoon
Slowly pour in contact solution
Mix with a spoon, but as the materials thicken, use hands to knead
Continue to knead until the contact solution is completely incorporated
Play!
Examining the Experiment: The Secret of Slime
Slime falls into super special category of materials called a non-Newtonian fluid. This means that unlike most materials in the world, it does not obey normal laws of physics! Slime falls into this category because it acts like a liquid when it oozes, and a solid when you squish it!
In this experiment, we started with a simple white glue. Glue is made up of very long molecules that flow easily across each other. That’s why it is slippery! When we added the baking soda, water, and contact solution, we started a chemical reaction! These materials, when added to glue, change the positions of the molecules and make it more difficult for them to move past each other, especially under pressure.
