SaH: Slime

A polymer is a chemical compound consisting of repeating structural units. In this experiment, we will create a polymer (slime) from different ingredients to see which slime is the best!

Question

Which ingredients make the best slime?

Materials

• Borax Slime
  • 1 tablespoon of borax per ½ cup of warm water
  • ½ cup glue (Elmer’s glue works best)
• Liquid Starch Slime
  • ½ cup glue (Elmer’s glue works best)
  • ½ cup liquid starch
• Baking Soda and Saline Solution Slime
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ – 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon saline solution
  • ½ cup glue (Elmer’s glue works best)
• All slime
  • Disposable cups or bowl
  • Disposable utensil (for mixing)
  • Resealable bag or container for storage

What to Do

Borax Slime

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of borax and ½ cup of water.
2. Add in ½ cup of glue.
3. Mix all the ingredients together.
4. Use your hands to scoop up as much slime as you can to continue mixing all the ingredients.
   1. It is okay if there is some water and glue that do not mix. It is best to do the mixing on a tray or bowl to contain the mess.
5. Place the slime in a plastic bag or container for storage.

Liquid Starch Slime

1. Mix ½ cup of glue with ½ cup of liquid starch.
2. Mix all the ingredients together.
3. Use your hands to scoop up as much slime as you can to continue mixing all the ingredients.
4. Place the slime in a plastic bag or container for storage.

Baking Soda and Saline Solution Slime

1. Mix ½ cup of water and ½ – 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
   1. Less baking soda results in slime that is runnier, while more makes the slime thicker.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of saline solution and ½ cup of glue to the mix.
3. Mix all the ingredients together.
4. Use your hands to scoop as much slime as you can to continue mixing all the ingredients.
   1. Adding saline solution to your hands makes it easier to grab and move the slime.
5. Place the slime in a plastic bag or container for storage.

Make some observations. Which was the thickest? Which was the runniest? How does each slime flow? Which is the stickiest?

What is Happening?

Slime fits into a state just between solids and liquids called a non-Newtonian fluid – this means it is a bit of both depending on the amount of pressure applied to it. Try squeezing it in your hands versus letting it “relax” and slide out of your hands. The molecules from the glue are attaching to the other molecules of the ingredients we mixed in with the glue. They are all attached now and hold together as we squeeze, push, or pull them apart.