Polymers link slime, tires and diapers at annual chemistry show

The 11 a.m. free show will take place in the Wetherill Laboratory of Chemistry, Room 200. It is suitable for children ages 5 and older.

The show will focus on polymers, giant chains of molecules made up of repeating units called monomers. Polymers are responsible for a variety of materials, including balloons, packing peanuts, car tires, football helmets, milk jugs, nylon and children's toy slime. Slime will be created at the show and samples will be given to the audience.

Polymers also make up the absorbent compound in diapers, and the ability of this polymer to absorb 60 times its weight will be demonstrated. The one-hour show also will review the discovery and history of polymers and will include the formation of polymer materials.

For more information, contact Paul Smith, director of lecture demonstrations, at (765) 494-5307, psmith4@purdue.edu.

Writer: Elizabeth Gardner, (765) 494-2081, ekgardner@purdue.edu

Source: Paul Smith, (765) 494-5307, psmith42purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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