Making dough with borax
In chemistry we learn that polymers are the result of the chemical reaction between two or more monomers – molecules with a small molecular weight – which produces a new chemical compound. In reality what this means is that all man made polymers can be transformed into usable products through recycling.
In this experiment you will see how simple monomers like water, borax and glue can together create an altogether new substance with a different use!
You will need:
- white carpenter’s glue
- 1 cup hot water
- 1½ tablespoonful sodium borate (borax powder)
- food colouring
And last but not least ... a helping hand from an adult.
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Method
Start by mixing one cup of white glue and ¾ cup of hot water in a bowl.
Then divide this mixture into three cups and colour with food colouring. Stir the mixture until it becomes homogenous.
Pour the remaining 1/3 cup of hot water into another bowl. Add 1 ½ tablespoonfuls of sodium borate and stir until the powder is mixed into the liquid.
It is very important that you add the ingredients in the right order.
Now take 3 clean cups and add the same quantity of sodium borate solution to each one.
Next take each of the coloured glue mixtures and pour them in each sodium borate solution.
Take the resulting mixture in your hands and mould it carefully.
Now you can shape the dough into anything you want!
NOTE: DO NOT THROW THE LEFTOVER MIXTURE DOWN THE SINK AS IT WILL BLOCK THE DRAIN.
Wrap it in a bag and throw it in the garbage.