Synthetic Polymers - SLIME Recipe

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the required solutions and allow for cooling.

   Solution #1

   • Mix 3 parts of warm (but not boiling) water and 1 part of Elmer's Blue Glue
     (Example: 675mL of water and 225mL of glue)
   Solution #2
   • Mix: 16 parts of warm (but not boiling) water and 1 part of Borax
     (Example: 160mL of water and 150 grams of Borax)
     
     
2.  Pour 50 ml of Solution #1 into a disposable container and mix in food colouring if desired.
   
3. Add 10 ml of Solution #2 while mixing rapidly with a stirring rod.  The slime is complete when it appears
   to be uniformly mixed and does not adhere to the container.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SLIME:

• The slime is not edible.
• The slime can be dissolved by water (it is water soluble).
• The slime should not be permitted to dry on surfaces (it will bond to it).
• The slime will last longest when it is kept in the refrigerator in a sealed container (or plastic bag).
• Do not use on lacquered surfaces (it eats it).

FACTS ABOUT POLYMERS:

• In Greek, "poly" means "many" and "meros" means "parts".
  Poly-mer= many parts
• Polymers are chain-like molecules with very high molecular masses, formed by linking many smaller molecules together
• Examples of polymers: plastics, proteins, starches, nylon, rayon, and polystyrene
• Slime is a cross-linked polymer, with the borate ion (borax solution) acting as the cross-link and the polyvinyl alcohol compound (Blue Glue Solution) acting as the monomer (individual molecules that act as "links" in the chain).

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