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Learners experiment with water gel crystals, or sodium polyacrylate crystals, which absorb hundreds of times their weight in water. When in pure water, the water gel crystals cannot be seen. However, when learners place the crystals in solutions of Splenda and water, the crystals can be seen. Learners use this property to determine how much Splenda is in 4 different cups of water. This is one of four activities learners can complete related to PhysicsQuest 2008. Each activity gives a clue to solve a puzzle in the accompanying comic book, "Nikola Tesla and the Electric Fair."
- 4 to 24 hours
- 45 to 60 minutes
- $5 - $10 per group of students
- Ages 11 - 18
- Activity, Experiment/Lab Activity
- English
Quick Guide
Materials List (per group of students)
- Water gel crystals (suggested source Steve Spangler Science, also available at some craft or garden stores) Must be larger crystals or beads, product labeled "snow" will not work in this activity
- 21 Splenda Brand Sweetener packets
- Water
- 4 clear plastic or glass cups labeled A, B, C, D
- 1 clear plastic or glass cup, unlabeled
- Spoon
- Student's Guide (p4-8 of PDF)
Subjects
-
Mathematics
-
Measurement
- Units of Measurement
-
Measurement
-
Physical Sciences
-
Chemistry
- Solutions
-
Vibration and Waves
- Light and Optics
-
Light and Optics
- Reflection and Refraction
-
States of Matter
- Liquids
-
Chemistry
-
The Nature of Science
-
The Scientific Process
- Conducting Investigations
-
The Scientific Process
Informal Categories
- Literature
Audience
To use this activity, learners need to:
- see
- touch
Learning styles supported:
- Involves hands-on or lab activities
Other
Components that are part of this resource:
This resource is part of:
Access Rights:
- Free access
By:
- American Physical Society
Rights:
- All rights reserved, American Physical Society, 2009