For this experiment our class played around with sodium polyacrylate. We look at the reaction the molecules have when they interact with each other.
The scientific Method
Question: Will salt liquify sodium polyacrylate after its reaction to the water?
Hypothesis:
Materials: Sodium Polyacrylate lab, Water, iodized Salt, and container
Experiment steps:
1. Pour the sodium polyacrylate into a container
2. Pour water into the container
3. Mix them together
4. To turn the sodium polyacrylate into a liquid just add salt
5. Mix
Experience:
For this lab we had some past knowledge and a idea what the reaction will be. At first I thought braden purchased the sodium polyacrylic. Then I remember that sodium polyacrylate is expensive and saw diapers in the trash can. When we created our hair gel we use diapers to extract the sodium polyacrylic and noticed the diapers had far too little sodium polyacrylate. We struggle extracting the sodium polyacrylic because it was stuck to the cotton. During the lab everything was 10 times easier. We were able to remove the sodium polyacrylic easier without the cotton getting in the way.
We look for a container to pour the sodium polyacrylate. After we pour it we added water and moments later the solution turn really chunky. We wondered what will happen if we kept adding water. As we added water the sodium polyacrylate started over flowing. After it overflew we need more of the powder. A teammate gave us their sodium polyacrylic. My partners dye the solution blue. We want to see if iodized salt will liquify the solution.
Science Behind It:
Sodium Polyacrylate is a absorbing polymer. This polymer can absorb 200 to 300 times its mass in water if it non distill water. Tap water and other liquids contain sodium and other mineral preventing the sodium polyacrylate to hold 800 times its mass. When Sodium Polyacrylate absorbs the water it go through a process called osmosis. Sodium polyacrylate locks with the water molecules and when salt is added it separates the two molecules from each other.