Instant Snow Polymer
Powder rapidly expands into fluffy 'snow.'
Teaching & key ideas
What you do: Add water to a small amount of polymer powder.
What students see: Powder rapidly expands into fluffy 'snow.'
Why it works: Superabsorbent polymer holds many times its mass in water.
Question to ask: Where did all the extra volume come from?
Lesson flow
Predict → demonstrate → observe → briefly explain → ask: Where did all the extra volume come from?