Title: Do-It-Yourself "Goofy Putty" by Steven Spangler
 Categories: Experiments, Kids
      Yield: 1 batch
           Elmer's White Glue (Do NOT
           -substitute)
   1.00 tb Borax
           Food Coloring
   1.00 c  Water
           Empty plastic soda bottle
           -with cap
           Zipper-lock bag (quart size)
  Making The Borax Water:  Borax is a type of powder soap that is
  available in most grocery stores.  Add 1 tablespoon Borax powder
to 1   cup of Water. Stir until most of the powder dissolves.
Store the   Borax Water in a jar or bottle, and label the container
"BORAX &    WATER MIXTURE". Remember that one cup of Borax water
will make many   batches of "Goofy Putty".
  Preparing The Glue:  Measure 1 tablespoon of Elmer's Glue into a
  zipper-lock bag.  Add 1 teaspoon of plain water to the bag and
mix.    The additional water makes the glue flow better.  Add a
drop of food   coloring to spice up the experiment.
  Making Goofy Putty:  Add 1 tablespoon of Borax Water to the bag
of   watered-down glue.  Seal the bag and squeeze for 2 minutes in
order to   thoroughly mix the liquids.  Notice that the liquids are
starting to   form a putty-like substance.  Remove the putty from
the bag and   continue to squeeze.  Try to explain how and why the
glue changed.
  How Does It Work:  The mixture of Elmer's Glue with Borax and
water   produces a putty-like material called a polymer.  In
simplest terms, a   polymer is a long chain of molecules.  As a
model for these chains of   molecules, picture in your mind strands
of cooked spaghetti.  If the   polymer chains slide past each other
easily, then the substance acts   like a liquid because the
molecules flow.  If the molecules hook   together at a few places
along the strand, then the substance behaves
  like a rubbery solid called an elastomer.  Borax is the chemical
that   is responsible for hooking the glue's molecules together to
form the   putty-like material.
  There are several different methods for making this putty-like
  material. Some recipes call for liquid starch instead of Borax
Soap.    Either way, when you make "Goofy Putty" you are learning
about some    of the fun an unusual properties of polymers.
  SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WITH CHEMICALS Although these substances are
not   considered hazardous, you should treat all chemicals with
care and    wash your hands after handling.  Do not taste or eat
any of the    materials described in these activities. Do not pour
any of these   experiments down the sink.  Do not allow any GOOFY
PUTTY to remain on  clothing, upholstery, wood surfaces, or carpet.
These substances may   stain and damage the surface.  Clean up any
spill immediately.
  Source: Mad Scientist 1995 Girl Scout Day Camp
  FINGER PAINTING
  For young children, prepare instant chocolate pudding and let
them do   creative finger painting with no danger if some finds its
way to their   mouths!
--- GEcho 1.00
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