Investigatory Project Homemade Bouncy Polymer Essay Example

Investigatory Project Homemade Bouncy Polymer Paper One might think that chemists are a bunch of boring scientists who wear lab coats and look at beakers all day, but did you know that many toys you play with are made using chemistry?Some of your favorite toys like Gak, Slime and Silly Putty started out as chemistry experiments. In fact, some of your favorite toys may have been invented by chemists who work for toy companies like: Crayola, Play-Doh or Mattell. Chemistry is the study of matter, and how different elements of matter interact. There are many different kids of matter, which need to be described using the concept of properties. Toys like silly putty are unique because of they have distinct properties that are different from the properties of other types of matter.There are two different kinds of properties, chemical properties and physical properties. Chemical properties are qualities that can be observed during a chemical reaction, like when vinegar reacts with baking soda. Physical properties are qualities that can be obs erved during physical change in the absence of a chemical reaction, like the melting of an ice cube. Physical properties can be used to describe the state of a chemical, which can be a solid, liquid or a gas. The physical and chemical properties of Silly Putty are what make it so much fun because it is a polymer that is stretchy and bouncy!Scientists use properties to describe all of the unique qualities of a chemical or a mixture of chemicals. To do this they use descriptive language, or words that are used to describe objects. Some descriptive words used to describe a chemical might be: hot, cold, squishy, hard, soft, crystalline, granular, smooth, liquid, clear, 2 opaque, and runny. There are many different qualities to be described. You just need to find the right words to use. The unique physical and chemical properties of a polymer or mixture can be changed by the amount of each different ingredient used to make them.Sometimes the amount of one ingredient compared to the amoun t of another ingredient can make a big difference. This is called a ratio, and a ratio can be useful to know how much of each ingredient to add to your mixture so you will end up with a mixture that has desirable properties. RATIONALE Balls have been toys practically forever, but the bouncing ball is a more recent innovation. Bouncing balls were originally made from natural rubber, though now bouncing balls can be made of plastics and other polymers. In this researcher, the bouncing ball is made from a polymer.Polymers are molecules made up of repeating chemical units. The researchers will change the ratio of two basic ingredients in homemade Silly Putty. They will describe the physical properties of each different mixture using a data table. Then they will choose the ratio of ingredients to create the best putty product. The use of bouncing polymer in science education provides number of advantages. One can use it to describe the chemical and physical properties of the mixtures. It can also be used to describe potential and kinetic energy.It can also demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Energy and Newton’s Third Law of Motion – for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. The researcher would like to find out which is the best ratio of the two basic ingredients in homemade Silly Putty that would produce better and higher bounce. 3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The main purpose of this research project is to come up with the best silly putty product. Specifically, it attempts to answer the following objectives: 1. To evaluate the physical properties of the polymer balls; 2.To describe the product of the different ratio of ingredients; and 3. To determine the height of the bounce of the polymer balls. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM The main problem of the study is coming up with the best silly putty product based on various ratios of ingredients. Specifically, the study will seek to answer the following questions: 1. Would it be possible to mak e a homemade bouncy polymer from a simple polymer found in white PVA glue and corn starch? 2. Which of the following ratio will produce the best homemade bouncy polymer? 3.What would be the effect of the varying ratio of the ingredients on the physical characteristics of the homemade bouncy polymer? SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Science is fun. It cannot only be learned in the four corners of the classroom but rather it can also be learned at home. Chemistry can be a very intimidating subject that is hard for some students to understand. This project study would like to help demonstrate some basic principles of chemistry. Specifically, this project study will help students understand that there is a difference between a physical change and a chemical change.Silly putty, as well as bouncing polymer is fascinating and educational. It can teach everyone about Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics. 4 Results of the study would provide the pupils an opportunity to learn while having fun. Likewi se, this study will provide opportunity to parents to have some quality time with their children. The result and findings of this study would give educators an alternative way of learning outside the classrooms. It would also encourage them to use other sources which are readily around them in teaching Science.SCOPE AND DELIMITATION The project study initiated after the researcher became interested and amazed about silly putty. The researcher made some readings and found that there silly putty can be possible made using readily available materials at home. There were also some studies and experiments where polymers are used as subject matter. With the help and guidance of the science teachers, the researcher came up with this project study. The researcher will try out various ratios using Elmer’s white glue, Borax, water, corn starch. They also used Zip-lock baggie, some bottles, weighing scale and graduated cylinder.The homemade bouncy polymers were evaluated in two ways: qu antitatively, through the mass, volume, density, height of bounce/return, length of stretch and distance of roll, and qualitatively through the descriptive analysis of some observable characteristics of the homemade bouncy polymers. Findings of this study will be applicable only to the ratios of the materials used and the field of study that will be tested and may not be generalized with others. 5 CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE This chapter reviews literature and studies related to the present project study.It presents literature on chemical properties, physical properties, polymers, and silly putty. RELATED LITERATURE Silly Putty, one of the most popular toys of the 20th century, was invented accidentally. Find out what a war, an indebted advertising consultant, and a ball of goo have in common. One of the most important resources needed for World War II war production was rubber. It was essential for tires (which kept the trucks moving) and boots (which kept the soldiers m oving). It was also important for gas masks, life rafts, and even bombers.Beginning early in the war, the Japanese attacked many of the rubberproducing countries in Asia, drastically affecting the supply route. To conserve rubber, civilians in the United States were asked to donate old rubber tires, rubber raincoats, rubber boots, and anything else that consisted at least in part of rubber. Rations were placed even on gasoline to hinder people from driving their cars. Propaganda posters instructed people in the importance of carpooling and showed them how to care for their household rubber products so they would last the duration of the war.Even with this home front effort, the rubber shortage threatened war production. The government decided to ask U. S. companies to invent a synthetic rubber that had similar properties but that could be made with non-restricted ingredients. In 1943, engineer James Wright was attempting to discover a synthetic 6 rubber while working in General Elec trics laboratory in New Haven, Conn. when he discovered something unusual. In a test tube, Wright had combined boric acid and silicone oil, producing an interesting gob of goo.Wright conducted a multitude of tests on the substance and discovered it could bounce when dropped, stretch farther than regular rubber, didnt collect mold, and had a very high melting temperature. Unfortunately, though it was a fascinating substance, it didnt contain the properties needed to replace rubber. Still, Wright assumed there had to be some practical use for the interesting putty. Unable to come up with an idea himself, Wright sent samples of the putty to scientists around the world. However, none of them found a use for the substance either. Rosenberg, 2009) The term polymer comes from the Greek word â€Å"poly†, meaning â€Å"many†, and â€Å"meros† meaning â€Å"parts†. The word â€Å"parts† refers to a grouping of atoms called molecular units, known as a monomer . POLYMERS Polymers are special organic molecules that form very long chains. Usually polymers make compounds that are stronger and more flexible than other compounds. Examples of polymers are: rubber, latex, and nylon (sciencelab, 2009). Polymer backbones are held together by covalent bonds by atoms sharing electrons. Other atoms, or even groups of atoms, hook onto the backbone by covalent bonds too.Some polymers that are called ionic polymers have ionic pendant groups. Their backbones are still held together by covalent bonds. When it comes to polymers, all of their backbones are held together by covalent bonds (that is, by sharing electrons) (pslc, 2009). 7 Also, by choosing the right kind of polymer, our product can be soft or hard, flexible or stiff, or most anything we want. Most polymers will last a long, long, long, long time. Thats good especially if you use them to make clothes, jars, even chairs. But its bad when polymers get thrown away.Some polymers are easier to recy cle than others. Its important to recycle the polymers that we can, like drink bottles, so that our landfills dont get filled up so fast. Most polymers are safe and non-toxic. Thats good. The monomers that are used to make polymers, though, are often toxic or stinky. That means that the companies that make polymers need to be very careful not to let the monomers get out before theyre made into polymers (pslc, 2009). Remember that polymers are very very long chains. These long chains: ? can bend and twist and get all tangled up ? can stick to each other ? ove much slower because theyre so big The longer a polymer chain is, the more tangled up it can get. Since the chains are harder to pull out or separate, that can make things made out of polymers stronger. Some polymers are more straight and stiff than others. These wont tangle up as much, but theyre strong for a different reason stiff chains can pack together and stick to each other. Think of molecules as being like magnets. Some are like very weak magnets, and some are like strong magnets. So, some can be pulled apart easily, but others take a lot more energy to pull them apart (pslc, 2009). 8Polymers are large molecules formed by the repetitive bonding of small molecules called monomers. The bondings of these low molecular weight monomers produce high molecular weight polymeric substances which have mechanical and chemical properties suitable in the manufactures of fibers, films, protective coating, insulating materials and more. Polymers accommodate to meet the needs of a wide variety of uses in the world; therefore, they play an important role in the chemical industries. Aside from synthetic polymers such as polyethylene and polystyrene, there are biological/natural polymers as well that can be found in nature.Cellulose and starch are examples of biopolymers that are built from small sugar; while proteins are polymers built from amino acids. The basic idea of polymer remains the same between synthetic an d biological polymers; however, synthetic polymers are much simpler than biopolymers due to the smaller size and simpler structure of the starting monomer. Polymer molecules may have anywhere from hundreds to thousands monomer units incorporated into a long chain, which depends on the properties of the polymer desired to achieve. Many simple alkenes, called vinyl monomers, ndergo polymerization (polymer-forming reactions) that made commercially important polymers. Polymerization involves the chemical combination of a number of identical or similar molecules, monomers, to form a complex molecule, polymer, of high molecular weight. There are a whole bunch of different ways that we can describe polymers what they look like, how they feel, how they smell, how they act, what they sound like when you drop them on the floor (ping! or splat! ) They can be hard or soft, stiff or bendy, strong or weak, smooth or rough, shiny or dull and lots more! Scientists have come up with all kinds of wa ys to test polymers to answer questions like: ? How easy is it to scratch? ? How much weight can a thread (or fiber, or rope) hold? ? How long will it last if its left out in the sun? ? How will it act if it gets hot? Will it melt if I leave it in the car in the middle of summer? ? How much heat does it take to make it all goopy? ? How fast will it dissolve in your tummy? (That one is important for pill coatings. ) ? How well can I see through it? ? What happens if I hit it with a hammer? This one might sound funny, but polymers that can take a hit with a hammer might just be good for something like a skateboarding helmet or hockey shin pads for goalies. ) There are all kinds of instruments that scientists use to test different polymer properties. The goal is to get numbers (data) so that one polymer can be compared to another. Flexible plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene are different from rigid plastics in that theyre easier to stretch (so their tensile strength is lower) , but they tend not to break. Interestingly, the ability to stretch is what keeps them from breaking.Theyll resist being stretched for a while, but if enough stress is put on a flexible plastic, it will eventually deform. You can try this at home with a piece of a plastic bag. If you try to stretch it, it will be very hard at first, but once youve stretched it far enough it will give way and stretch easily. The bottom line is that 10 flexible plastics may not be as strong as rigid ones, but they are a lot tougher (pslc, 2009). Polymers are made up of many many molecules all strung together to form really long chains (and sometimes more complicated structures, too). Figure 2. This is a polymer. Its a very large molecule. Most of the polymers well talk about here are linear polymers. A linear polymer is made up of one molecule after another, hooked together in a long chain. This chain is called the backbone. Now, linear polymers dont have to be in a straight, rigid line. Those single bonds between atoms in the backbone can swivel around a bit, kinda like paper clips hooked together end-to-end. A LINEAR polymer chain starts at the beginning and goes straight to the end. You can take your finger and trace the curvy path from one end to the other.To the rest of the world, linear means straight and not curved but for polymers, linear means straight and not branched. A BRANCHED polymer chain has extra beginnings (branches! ) along the chain and so it has lots of ends. No matter where you start, you cant trace the entire polymer without backtracking. 11 Different kinds of polymers: stretchy like a rubber band, tough like a football, soft like a sweater, silky and strong like a parachute, and even polymers that are bulletproof!! (pslc, 2009). Kinds of Polymer 1. Natural Polymer.Plants are made of a polymer called cellulose. This is the tough stuff that wood and stems and Pauls tree house! are made from. Cellulose is also what makes fibers like cotton and hemp that we can twist into threads and weave into clothing. And many plants also make starch. Potatoes, corn, rice, and grains all have a lot of starch. Starch is also a polymer. Even though starch and cellulose are both made from the same sugar (glucose), they act very differently (because the glucose molecules are joined together differently).Starch will dissolve in water, but cellulose wont. So we make food from starches and we build things and make clothing out of cellulose. 2. Plastics Im just guessing that everyone out there knows what plastic is. The word plastic means pliable. Plastics are materials that can be shaped and molded easily. Plastics become easier to mold and shape when theyre hot, and they melt when they get hot enough, so we call them thermoplastics. This name can help you tell them apart from cross linked materials that dont melt.These materials can seem a lot like plastics, but theyre really thermosets. So we make things out of plastic by getting it really hot until it melts and then pouring it, stretching it, injecting it or blowing it into molded shapes, like drinking glasses and toys. It takes a lot of energy to deform plastics into shapes, but they stay the same shape. Until it gets hot enough, plastic cannot easily be deformed. 12 Sometimes additives are added to a plastic to make it softer and more pliable. These additives are called plasticizers. 3.Elastomer Elastomer is a big fancy word, and all it means is rubber. Some polymers which are elastomers include polyisoprene or natural rubber, polybutadiene, polyisobutylene, and polyurethanes. What makes elastomers special is the fact that they bounce, which is to say that they can be stretched to many times their original length, and can bounce back into their original shape without permanent deformation (pslc, 2009). Polymers are used to make numerous things, including clothing, plastic containers, nonstick cookware, and bulletproof vests.Try this experiment to see how polymers can make a toy . If you use the scientific method, you make observations before experimenting and forming or testing a hypothesis. Youve followed a procedure to make a bouncing ball. Now you can vary the procedure and use your observations to make predictions about the effects of the changes. Observations you can make and then compare as you change the composition of the ball include the diameter of the finished ball, how sticky it is, how long it takes to solidify into a ball, and how high it bounces. (Helmenstine, 2009).What makes polymers so fun is that how they act depends on what kinds of molecules theyre made up of and how theyre put together? The properties of anything made out of polymers really reflect whats going on at the ultra-tiny (molecular) level. So, things that are made of polymers look, feel, and act depending on how their atoms and molecules are connected, as well as which ones we use to 13 begin with! Some are rubbery, like a bouncy ball, some are sticky and gooey, and some are hard and tough, like a skateboard (pslc, 2009). Use simple chemistry to make a polymer bouncy ball with household ingredients.The ingredients used to make this ball form a type of elastic polymer that bounces like a store-bought super ball (ehow, 2009). Making polymer bouncy balls is a great project for anyone with an interest in chemistry, though kids probably get more out of the finished product than adults. Or maybe not they are pretty fun. You can make polymer balls yourself using common household ingredients. You can also purchase kits that allow you to make balls in neon and glowing colors. The molds that come with the kits can be re-used to shape balls you make using your own ingredients (Helmenstine, 2009).Plastics and rubbers are made from polymers- long chains of molecules that can be ‘zipped’ together. The long tangled up polymer chains can be stretched out or squashed up. This makes the material elastic, which is an excellent property for a bouncy ball. We can make a bouncy ball from a simple polymer found in white PVA glue. Polymers are made by combining many individual units called monomers into a single larger unit. You will be making a bouncing ball polymer in this experiment by combining Elmers white glue and 20 Mule Team borax.The monomer unit in the bouncing ball polymer is polyvinyl acetate (from Elmers glue). When borax is dissolved in water, some borate ions form: Na2B4O7 + 9H2O -gt; 2 Na+ + 2H+ + 4B(OH)4The borate ions form bridges connecting the polyvinyl acetate chains in the glue to one another. This is called a cross linking polymer. 14 This polymer also displays hydrogen bonding. The cross linking and hydrogen bonding produce a three-dimensional polymer with many open spaces for water to occupy (www. files. chem. vt. edu, 2009) Polymers are molecules made up of repeating chemical units.Glue contains the polymer polyvinyl acetate (PVA), which cross-links to itself when reacted with borax (Helmenstine, 2009) PVA (polyvin yl acetate) is a polymer or ‘long chained molecule’ so too is starch (present in the custard powder). The borax causes cross-links to develop between the two polymers and the mixture becomes stiff. It is important to get the correct amount of borax, too much i. e. too many cross-links, and the mixture is brittle; too little and the mixture flows; just right and the mixture can be rolled into a ball and bounced! Polymers (like PVA and starch) are a very important part of our world.The ingredients combine to make a fairly solid mixture which when rolled into a ball, you should be able to throw and bounce! (yummyscience, 2009) The glue is a polymer (long chain molecule) called polyvinyl acetate (PVA), and the custard powder contains corn flour which is a starch. Starch is also a polymer, this time made up from smaller glucose molecules. The borax acts as a cross linking agent and binds the two polymer chains together. Too much borax gives too many cross-links and hence a brittle substance. Too little borax means not enough cross-links giving a weak substance thats easily pulled apart.The ball is made of an elastic material. When it bounces the ball gets squashed and the kinetic energy gets converted to elastic potential energy, and some heat, plus a little sound. The ball then unsquashes and bounces back up. So as the ball bounces there are number of energy transfers: Gravitational energy is 15 transferred to kinetic as it falls. When it hits the ground the ball squashes. The kinetic energy is transferred to elastic strain energy in the ball. As the ball unsquashes the strain energy is converted back to kinetic energy.Some of the energy is lost as heat, sound, etc, which is why the ball doesnt bounce up to the same height it was dropped from (planetscience, 2009). Whats Happening? The white glue contains polyvinyl acetate, a strong and flexible polymer that gives the ball strength. Cornstarch contains amylopectin, a polymer whose shape is best descr ibed as branched it sticks out like the branches of a tree and gives the ball the property of elasticity. Elasticity allows the ball to return to its original shape after being compressed or stretched, such as hitting the floor.So instead of splattering everywhere, the ball bounces back up. The borax is needed to help the glue and the starch stick together. This connects the two polymers into a netlike formation, keeping the ball from crumbling or becoming slime when it is bounced. SUMMARY Polymers are long-chained molecules formed by repetitive molecules called monomers. Polymers exist from natural to synthetic forms. various ways from plastics to rubbers. Bouncy balls can be made out of glue, corn starch and borax due to its composition, polyvinyl acetate (PVA). Polymerization causes this reaction to occur.They have been used in 16 DEFINITION OF TERMS The following terms are defined according to how they will be used in the study. Bounce – is the height of the homemade po lymer reached after releasing at a certain starting point. Glue – a sticky white substance whose property is made up of polyvinyl acetate. Elastomer – is a polymer with rubbery characteristics. Polymer – is a large molecule formed by the repetitive bonding of small molecules called monomers. Roll – is the distance traveled by the homemade bouncy polymer over a 45 ° angle of inclined plane.Silly putty – is a toy that is a ball of soft, moldable, rubber-like material. Stretch – is the length of the homemade polymer to stay together before it is torn apart. 17 CHAPTER 3 METHODOLOGY This chapter discussed the materials used, the formulas to be tested, instrument to be used, data collection and data analysis. RESEARCH METHOD The project study aimed to evaluate which ratio would produce the best homemade bouncy polymer. This study will further examine the characteristics of polymers produced from different ratio of solutions. MATERIALS The resea rcher will use some household materials readily available at home.Warm water, Elmer’s white glue, corn starch, borax, Zip-lock baggie, some bottles, weighing scale, beaker and graduated cylinder. PROCEDURE After gathering the necessary materials, the researcher prepared the following solutions They will prepare the Glue solution, which made up 30 ml of Elmer’s white glue and 30 ml of water. Stir well until the glue is fully diluted and no gooey clumps remain. They will also prepare the Borax solution, which is up of 360 ml of warm water and 10 ml of Borax. Stir well until no particles of Borax remain and the solution is clear. 18Label 5 Zip-lock baggies: Polymer #1, Polymer #2, Polymer #3, Polymer #4 Polymer #5. Combined the solutions in the Zip-lock baggies using the following ratios: Zip-lock Baggie Polymer # 1 Polymer # 2 Polymer # 3 Polymer # 4 Polymer # 5 Borax Solution 1 Tbsp 2 Tbsp 3 Tbsp 4 Tbsp 5 Tbsp Glue Solution 5 Tbsp 4 Tbsp 3 Tbsp 2 Tbsp 1 Tbsp Corn starch 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp 1 Tbsp Seal the baggie, and using your fingers squish the mixture around to mix together the ingredients. When the mixture begins to form a sticky glob, take it out of the baggie. Start molding the ball with your hands.DATA GATHERING The data gathered was based from the objectives of the project study. Since the study wanted to assess the describable characteristics of each ratio and compare it, it dealt on some numerical data based on the mass, volume, density, height of bounce/return, length of stretch and distance of roll. 5 trials were done for the height of bounce/return, length of stretch and distance of roll of each homemade bouncy polymer. The researchers will also describe the observable physical characteristics of the products from the 5 ratios of the polymers. 19 The problems encountered in the project study were noted.DATA ANALYSIS The data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The researcher would get the average of the height of bounce/return, length of stretch and distance of roll, in centimeters. Trials 1 2 3 4 5 Average Height of Bounce/Return Polymer Polymer Polymer 1 2 3 Polymer 4 Polymer 5 Trials 1 2 3 4 5 Average Length of Stretch Polymer Polymer Polymer 1 2 3 Polymer 4 Polymer 5 Trials 1 2 3 4 5 Average Distance of Roll Polymer Polymer Polymer 1 2 3 Polymer 4 Polymer 5 20 Below is an illustration how the researcher underwent the process of the project study.Planning the procedure and materials needed Gathering of materials needed Preparing the borax solutions Preparing the glue solution Mixing the two solutions in a zip-lock baggie Adding the corn starch Squishing the solution inside the baggie Rolling the polymer in the palm Evaluating and assessing the product Figure 3. 1. Flowchart of the procedure 21 CHAPTER 4 RESULTS, ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Homemade bouncy polymer can be made using materials readily available at home. It was able to produce bouncing polymer which has rubbery char acteristics.The results of this project study were shown in the preceding tables and figures. MASS Based on the observation, when the result from each ratio have the following measurement: Polymer Mass 1 40 2 40 3 40 4 40 5 40 Table 4. 1 Comparison of Mass of the Polymers 40 35 Mass (in grams) 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 Polymer 4 5 Graph 4. 1 Comparison of Mass of the Polymers After mixing the Borax solution and the glue solution, together with the corn starch, the five (5) polymer products were weighed and it was found out the mass was the same at 40 grams. 22VOLUME Based on the observations, the following volumes were gathered: Polymer Volume 1 90 2 85 3 80 4 78 5 75 Table 4. 2 Comparison of Volume of the Polymers 90 85 80 75 70 65 1 2 3 Polymer 4 5 Graph 4. 2 Comparison of Volume of the Five Polymers Polymer 1 has a volume of 90 ml followed by Polymer 2 with 85 ml, then Polymer 3 with 80 ml, Polymer 4 with 78 ml and Polymer 5 with 75 ml. DENSITY After getting the Mass and Volume of the 5 Polymers, the following Densities were met: Result Density 1 0. 44 2 0. 47 3 0. 50 4 0. 51 5 0. 53 Table 4. 3 Comparison of Density of the Polymers 23 Volume (in mL) . 60 Density (in g/mL) 0. 50 0. 40 0. 30 0. 20 0. 10 0. 00 1 2 3 Polymer 4 5 Graph 4. 3 Comparison of Density of the Five Polymers Polymer 1 has a density of 0. 44 g/ml. Polymer 2 has 0. 47 g/ml. Polymer 3 has 0. 50 g/ml. Polymer 4 has 0. 51 g/ml and Polymer 5 has 0. 53 g/ml. HEIGHT OF BOUNCE/RETURN Based on the observations, after the 5 Polymers were dropped, the following data were noted: Trials Polymer 1 6 6 7 8 5 6. 4 Polymer 2 5 5 6 5 4 5 Polymer 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polymer 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polymer 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Average Standard 1. 02 0. 63 0. 00 0. 00 0. 00 Deviation Table 4. Comparison of Height of Bounce/Return of the Polymers 24 7 Height of Bounce (in cm. ) 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 Polymer 4 5 Graph 4. 4 Comparison of Height of Bounce/Return of the Five Polymers Polymer 1 has an average bounce/return height of 6. 4 while Polymer 2 has an average bounce/return height of 5. 0 cm. , after being release at a starting position of 77 cm. Polymer 3, 4 and 5 did not bounce at all. LENGTH OF STRETCH The 5 Polymers were pulled to test its ability to be stretched. The following figures were recorded: Trials Polymer 1 30 54 59 35 40 43. 6 Polymer 2 46 36 34 29 29 34. Polymer 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polymer 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polymer 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Average Standard 11. 11 6. 24 0. 00 0. 00 0. 00 Deviation Table 4. 5 Comparison of the Length of Stretch of the Polymers 25 45 40 Distance (in cm. ) 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 1 2 3 Polymer 4 5 Graph 4. 5 Comparison of the Length of Stretch of the Polymers Polymer 1 has an average stretch distance of 43. 6 cm before it breaks. Polymer 2 broke at an average stretch distance of 34. 8 cm. Polymer 3, 4 and 5 was not possible to be stretch. DISTANCE OF ROLL In a 45 ° inclined plane, each Polymer was allowed to roll.The following data were collected: Trials Polymer 1 8 4 46 119 58 117 84. 8 Polymer 2 26 36 40 38 43 36. 6 Polymer 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polymer 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 Polymer 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 3 4 5 Average Standard 29. 77 5. 78 0. 00 0. 00 0. 00 Deviation Table 4. 6 Comparison of the Distance of Stretch of the Polymers 26 90 80 Distance (in cm. ) 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1 2 3 Polymer 4 5 Graph 4. 6 Comparison of the Distance of Stretch of the Polymers Polymer 1 traveled an average roll distance of 84. 8 cm while Polymer 2 had an average roll distance of 36. 6. Polymer 3, 4 and 5 did not roll at all.OBSERVABLE CHARACTERISTICS Polymer 1 2 3 4 5 Characteristics White in color, rubbery, easy to mold into a ball, smooth, soft White in color, rubbery, easy to mold into a ball but it is also easily can loose its shape, smooth, soft White in color, slimy, not too easy to mole into a ball White in color, some small formation of ‘gooey’ substance can be observe White in color, watery Table 4. 7 Observable Characteristics of the Polymers 27 COST ANA LYSIS The following were the cost made in this project study. Total Amount Cost per unit Units used Expenses for the setup 30 P 11. 7 10 10 0 5 P 0. 42 0. 93 0. 00 14. 71 27. 82 5 5. 56 Material Glue Borax Corn starch Water Zip-lock baggie Cost 130 P 51. 00 P 0. 39 1000 200 360 30 42. 00 18. 50 0. 00 88. 25 0. 04 0. 09 0. 00 2. 94 Total expenses Polymer products Cost per Polymer product P Table 4. 8 Cost Analysis of the Research Project The amount of each material was divided by the cost of the material to get the cost per unit. Then the cost per unit was multiplied to the amount of units used to enable the researchers to get the expenses based on the setup of the project study.The total cost of the five (5) polymer products amounted to P27. 82. The cost of each polymer product was P 5. 56. 28 CHAPTER 5 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Based on the observation, homemade bouncy polymer can be created by mixing Borax dissolved in water, glue dil uted in water and cornstarch. The characteristics of the polymer depend on the amount or ratio of the solution. The more glue solution is added the more elastic the polymer is while the more Borax solution is added the more watery it is. All the Polymers weighted the same, 40 grams.Polymer 1 has the highest volume with 90 ml. Polymer 5 has the highest density with 0. 53 g/ml. Polymer 1 has an average bounce/return height of 6. 4 cm; an average stretch distance of 43. 6 cm; and, an average roll distance of 84. 8 cm. Polymer 2 has an average bounce/return height of 5. 0 cm; an average stretch distance of 34. 8 cm; and, average roll distance of 36. 6. Polymer 3, 4 and 5 did not bounce at all; was not possible to be stretch; and, did not roll at all. The total cost of the five (5) polymer products amounted to P27. 82. The cost of each polymer product was P 5. 56.CONCLUSION Based on the results and findings of the project study, the following conclusions were obtained: 1. It is possible to make a homemade bouncy polymer using PVA glue and cornstarch with the addition of Borax dissolved in water. 29 2. Polymer 1 with the ratio of 1:5:1 (Borax solution:glue solution:cornstarch) produced the best homemade bouncy polymer. It has the highest average bounce/return, highest average stretch distance and highest average roll distance. 3. Varying ratio of the ingredients, Borax solution and glue solution, affect the physical characteristics of the homemade bouncy polymer.Using less borax will produce a goopier type of ball while adding more glue for a slimier ball. RECOMMENDATIONS Making a homemade bouncy polymer produced a positive result. With this basis, the researchers recommend the adaptation of this homemade bouncy polymer on the teaching-learning process which can be used by both teachers and students specifically in representing chemical reactions in Chemistry and demonstration of some laws in Physics. To further improve the project study, the researcher would also l ike to recommend the following: 1. Experiment with the ratio between the amounts of glue, cornstarch, and borax; 2.Experiment on the floor where the homemade bouncy polymer will bounce the highest, on a wood, on a glass or on a concrete floor; 3. Experiment if temperature will affect the characteristics of the homemade bouncy polymer; 4. Experiment if the size will affect the height of bounce/return, length of stretch and distance of roll; and, 30 5. Experiment if the homemade polymer can be used as an alternative on some rubber products. Moreover, other investigators are encouraged similar project to improve the quality and provide homemade bouncy polymer.

The eNotes Blog 8 Latin American Authors and Poets You Need toRead

8 Latin American Authors and Poets You Need toRead As a student and young reader, I am often inundated with syllabi and must-read lists that beat me over the head with the â€Å"essentials.† One can only be told to read Twain, Austen, Faulkner, Dickens, and Hemingway so many times before one itches to rebel. What else is out there? There have to be other great books outside of the Western canon, right? Of course there are. The issue is that so many great books get lost in translation. Latin America in particular is rich in a history of struggle and resistance; this spirit is reflected best in its literature. From Borges in Argentina to Neruda in Chile, here are eight literary heroes who should be on your personal must-read list. Argentina Jose Luis Borges, Ficciones Jorge Luis Borges (1899–1986) is one of the most important figures in Spanish language and Argentinean literature. His specific genre is hard to define, as he combines elements of surrealism, the human condition, time, and the metaphysical. In his collection of short stories Ficciones, Borges plays with the idea of paradoxes that readers are forced to puzzle out. What is real, and what is fiction? Ficciones won’t tell you, and it might drive you crazy; however, I’m not sure that Borges could distinguish between the two, himself. Alejandra Pizarnik, Extracting the Stone of Madness You cannot talk about Argentine poets without mentioning Alejandra Pizarnik (1936–1972). She was a central voice in Latin American poetry during the twentieth century. The poems in Extracting the Stone of Madness, like many of Pizarnik’s poems, draw readers into her personal turmoil. Pizarnik has a unique style of confession in that provides no answers, only tension. We are invited into the poet’s musings on solitude, madness, and death. It is impossible, with her candidness, for us not to reflect on those topics ourselves. Colombia Gabriel Garcà ­a Mrquez, Chronicle of a Death Foretold Garcà ­a Mrquez (1927–2014) was simultaneously a talented journalist, short story writer, and novelist, having won the Nobel Peace Prize for Literature in 1982- he was the fourth Latin American to do so. He was affectionately known in Colombia as â€Å"Gabo.† The very beginning of Chronicle of a Death Foretold tells us that Santiago Nasar has been murdered. It’s the â€Å"how† and the â€Å"why† that we’re interested in, and we learn those details through a very non-linear storyline. It’s a fascinating story of honor, shame, duty, and complicity. How can a village allow a man to be murdered, when the murderers themselves warn them? Laura Restrepo, The Angel of Galilea Laura Restrepo (1950–) is a Colombian writer who has transitioned from political columns to best-selling novels. Although she was never afraid to voice her opinions when it came to war and negotiations, this caused death threats which resulted in a six-year exile in Mexico. To this day, Restrepo divides her time between Bogot and Mexico City. In The Angel of Galilea, we see the influence of Restrepo’s past in the main character, Mona, who is a formerly optimistic Colombian journalist. Mona is sent to the village of Galilea, in the slums of Bogot, to investigate sightings of an angel. Drug addiction, abuse, incarceration, love, and angels- what more could you want? Peru Cà ©sar Vallejo, Trilce Peru has a rich history of literary giants, and Cà ©sar Vallejo (1892–1938) is one of them. It is impossible to read his poetry without seeing Vallejo’s true inner nature: full of desire for justice, full of sadness, intensely averse to pain- his own and others. Trilce is Cà ©sar Vallejo’s best-known book of poetry. His poems often defy interpretation, or perhaps they offer too many possible interpretations. The emotion is undeniable, however, and opens the door for us to see how Vallejo juggles the power of language with the power of lived experience. Mario Vargas Llosa, The Time of the Hero Mario Vargas Llosa (1936– )is another recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature. Vargas Llosa is overtly political in his writing, which makes sense, considering he has also made a career for himself as a journalist and politician in Peru. In The Time of the Hero, Vargas Llosa critiques Peruvian society in particular and hierarchical structures in general. The novel follows four boys in the Leoncio Prado Military Academy in Lima, Peru, as they grow and come to terms with the fact that their fates are inescapable. Chile Isabel Allende, House of the Spirits Isabel Allende (1942– ) uses aspects of magical realism in her novels- novels that often are tributes to powerful women operating in situations where they have little power. Allende has had United States Citizenship since 1993 and was awarded the 2014 Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama. House of the Spirits spans generations, social divides, and political divides of a single family. What is the difference between love and possession? Can there be love without possession? Allende explores the theme of injustice when it comes to gender, social class, and who is allowed to be self-determining. Pablo Neruda, One Hundred Love Sonnets Pablo Neruda (1904–1973) became known as the people’s poet, and it’s easy to see why- he was a diplomat, Chilean consul to Argentina and Mexico, member of the Chilean Senate, opponent of repressive policies, and prolific writer. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1971. One Hundred Love Sonnets isn’t the only tribute that Neruda made to his wife, Matilde Urrutia, but it is a fantastic one. If you’re looking for romance, look no further than the man who wrote, â€Å"I want to do to you what spring does with the cherry blossoms.†

How To Write A Good Definition Essay, with Topics

How To Write A Good Definition Essay, with Topics How to write a definition essay (Writing Guide) How to start How to write a main part How to write conclusion Outline example List of topics There are quite a number of essays that students are supposed to learn in high school and in college. Most of these skills are not just crucial for class work and exams, but rather they are also when it comes to daily activities at the place of work. As such, these are skills that go along the way into helping students tackle career chores with more ease. The definition essays tend to be long and thorough. Though it is not as popular as most of the other essays, it can prove to be a challenge. As such, where given a choice, students are advised to choose those words which have plenty to write about. This is relative to the lengthy nature of the essay and could mean that the student may run out of ideas before they can meet the length threshold. There are those words that have a definite meaning, such as book, tree or even glass among others. However, there are those that have a more abstract meaning depending on the person giving the definition. In an example, a word such as honor, love or honesty will have a personal and an academic meaning. As such, the word choice for a definition essay is crucial, relative to the determination of the amount of content a student can write about the same. The essay is written in the best choice of words for the readers to understand what the writer is trying to explain. It is important that the writ er does not use jargons to explain a word as they are trying to get the audience to understand. As such, simplicity and clarity are the keys when writing a definition essay. As such, the definition essay elicits a debate among the readers and between the readers and the writer, with regard to what the definition of a certain word is. It is important the writer is able to engage the audience in a battle to determine the true meaning of a word from a personal and academic point of view. Structure of a definiton essay Like most of the other essays, the importance of the outline cannot be underestimated. This is relative to the fact that the outline acts as the framework within which all the ideas in the essay are organized. It is also among the baselines which help the writer brainstorm on the ideas to include, check for weak links in the content development, reduce the time it takes to write the essay and refine the ideas outlay for the audience. Below is an example of what the outline of a definition essay will look like. Introduction Attention getter Thesis statement Body Body paragraph one: History and origin of the word Body paragraph two: Dictionary explanation and use of the word Body paragraph three: Personal definition Conclusion Following the definition essay outline guide stipulated above, it is crucial to understand the various aspects which go into making a good definition essay. Each of the sections on the outlines play a crucial role to help the audience engage the mind of the writer and vice versa, in the debatable explanation of what a word will mean to either of the parties. Introduction for a definition essay The introduction of the essay is crucial, as the writer uses it to help the audience connect with the debate and the ideas floated in the essay. The first part of the introduction is the attention getter. This is also referred to as the hook, as it is developed in a manner to get the attention of the readers. There are quite a number of articles that can be found online, among other mediums and thus it is upon the author to make sure they get the attention of the readers for them to engage with the article beyond the topic. The writer has to make sure they have the best start for the paper to keep the readers going further into the text. Even for the teachers, it is important that the student is able to keep them interested, which translates into better grades. Thesis The other part of the definition essay is the thesis statement. Like the attention getter, it is important for the writer to have the ability to develop a thesis statement which draws the readers to wanting to know more about the word. The trick here is to make sure the thesis statement is framed as an argument. In an example, the word patriotism does not mean that citizens have to blindly follow the values of the government, but those the nation was founded on. This creates an element of debate, where the author may argue, the sitting government does not inspire patriotism among the citizens. This is a topic likely to spark a sharp debate and makes sure the audience is eager to get to the bottom of the debate. The thesis statement in this case is clear, which means that the writers should always avoid being vague. At the same time, when writing a definition essay, the writer should ensure the thesis statement is short and precise. It also has to be a complete sentence, not just a ph rase that leaves the audience hanging, while identifying the purpose of the paper. Like an outline, the thesis statement is a guide, but one that defines the structure of the paper more than the outline does. The bottom line is that, other than the thesis statement being interesting, it should also be relevant to the debate developed in the paper. Body paragraphs The body of the definition essay articulates the debate established in the thesis statement an elaborated in the introduction. The first paragraph of the body paragraphs debates the issues regarding the history and origin of the paper. The first paragraph is associated with introducing the word to the audience and helping them to better understand the baseline of the word and what it to be discussed in the paper. The first paragraph also helps to prepare the audience for the debate in the definition essay. The second paragraph of the paper is associated with defining the word according to dictionary meaning. The author may choose to select a number of reputable dictionaries to use, in the definition of the word. The second paragraph is a section that relates to getting the meaning of the word with an academic approach. The third paragraph of the definition essay is associated with the personal definition of the word. How to write conclusion for a  definition essay The last part of the definition essay is the conclusion, where the writer summarizes the main points building the argument and then closing with an attention getter, by referring to the introduction and thesis statement. Finalizing definition essay To make sure the definition essay meets the academic and professional threshold, it is important to proofread the essay. This is to make sure there are no mistakes which could lower the integrity of the essay. When choosing the right word for the perfect essay, there are some elements to consider which include using a word that is abstract and has a complex meaning. It is important that the word is debatable and one which is familiar. The other important aspects include reading up on the dictionary meaning of the word and then researching on the origin of the word. List of topics for a definition essay: Love Success Honor Honesty Patriotism Hate Terrorism Farming Technology Laziness Cheating Marriage Relationship Family Rudeness Respect Sacrifice Boyfriend Wife Husband Girlfriend Home Fashion Beauty Privacy Rights Heroism Courage Fear Poverty Masculinity Feminism

Economics College Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Economics College - Essay Example This event has crippled the economy, leading to a quarterly decline of 1.4% in the third quarter. The attack has "shut down the economy for several days and has had a lasting impact on tourism, the airline industry, and other businesses" (Economists Call it Recession 2001). In an annual basis, the US economy only managed to grow by 0.8% during 2001. The economy has entered a moderate state of recovery during 2002 where it posted 1.6% annual GDP growth. Recognizing the slowdown in the economy, the Bush administration planned to stimulate consumer spending and investment through the use of tax cuts. This fiscal policy was implemented in July 2003, taking immediate effect in the next quarter. The US has enjoyed an annual growth rate of 2.5% during that year which is strongly fueled by the rise in personal consumption expenditures coupled by a higher level of government spending. Also, the tax cut has been effective in creating jobs and boosting business growth. From 2004, the US economy has been posting growth at par with its pre-recession rates. GDP in 2004 rose by 3.9%, which 0.2% higher than the 2000 level. Annual growth rates in 2005 and 2006 are 3.2% and 3.4%, respectively.

Political Science paper about (Should the Arms Trade Treaty cover Essay

Political Science paper about (Should the Arms Trade Treaty cover small arms) - Essay Example Thus, clearly, by direct control and monitoring of the small arms, the crime rate can also be controlled effectively. Secondly, as opposed to nuclear weapons or other large ammunition equipment, small arms are convenient to conceal. Also, these are smaller in size and lighter to carry which makes them easier to transport. Thus, terrorist groups can accumulate these light weapons which they can later utilize to carry a lethal operation during the aggravation of a conflictii. This is a classic case exhibit during civil wars. Furthermore, majority of the conflicts in civil wars effecting the civilian population involve small arms, being the more dominant ammunition used for criminal violence. The death toll of fire-arms in the post-conflict period is thus higher than that of the death toll during the climax of the conflictiii. This directly implies that the losses in a conflict can clearly be minimized by controlling small arms. Also, the armed violence leads towards the decay in social welfare. People flee their homes and tend to be threatened by the presence of small arms. Also, according to statement issues by the World Bank, nothing affects the investment opportunities in a state as do armed violenceiv. Thus, all negative indicators to economic development can directly be connected to small arms. Thus, with active exports and imports of small arms, there are chances that more and more number of people would have easier access to small arms which would tend to increase violence and decrease economic growth indicators. Lastly, there are presently no measures of transparency related to the available data on the presence of small arms on the global pretext. Thus, by virtue of small arms control and consistent monitoring of the data, eventually the data would be accumulated to a considerable extent, after which a database can be formed for future referencev. As opposed to small arms, the data on nuclear warheads and other conventional arms is

The Important Role of Mathematicians in Society Essay -- essays resear

The Important Role of Mathematicians in Society Thesis Statement This report will focus on the professional field of mathematicians. It will highlight some of the history, responsibilities, opportunities, and requirements of this occupation. Outline I.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Introduction A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A condensed history of mathematics B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Famous mathematicians and their accomplishments II.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Body A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Opportunities for mathematicians B.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Education and training C.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Requirements D.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Earnings III.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conclusion A.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Good mathematicians are problem solvers Mathematicians: Making numerous contributions A mathematician is described as someone who uses logic or theory to solve problems. Mathematicians and their craft have been making milestones in history ever since the Neanderthal man became homo - sapiens and began communicating, with the use of speech. The first period of time in the history of mathematics is known as the Chinese / Egyptian / Babylonian Period. This era starts in 50,000 B.C., and reaches to 601 B.C. During this primitive age, man used notches in bones, and clay tokens for counting. Sundials were used as a method of telling time and keeping track of the days. The most infamous mathematician from this time was Ahmes of papyrus. Ahmes was the author of the Egyptian scribe â€Å"The Rhind papyrus†; it is one of the oldest mathematical documents in existence. The Greek Period (600B.C. – 499 A.D.) took mathematics far beyond the realm of counting and measuring time. The Greeks brought a variety of great minds to life, including Thales of Miletus, Archimedes, Apollonius, Euclid, and Democritus. They began using logic to explore new mathematical concepts. Pythagoras of Samos was one of the foremost logical minds of this age. He is the inventor of abstract mathematics, and the founder of the â€Å"Pythagoras Theorem†. This theorem is still used today, in modern geometric equations The Hindu / Arabian Period (500A.D. – 1199A.D.), gave us Aryabhata the Elder and Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khowarizmi. Al-Khowarizmi wrote a very important Egyptian book titled â€Å"Al-jabr† His book helped to advance the study of algebra, and is re... ... salary for a government mathematician is $62,000; for mathematical statisticians, $65,660   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In conclusion, â€Å"Good mathematicians do not rush in to apply a formula or an equation. Instead, they try to understand the problem situation; they consider alternative representations and relations among variables. Only when satisfied that they understand the situation and all the variables in a qualitative way do they start to apply the quantification.† Bibliography   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Mathematics its power and utility Sixth Edition Karl J Smith   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Math & Mathematics The history of Math Discoveries around the World   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Vol. 1&2 Leonard C. Bruno   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Career Discovery Encyclopedia Volume 5 Ferguson Publishing company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Encyclopedia of Careers & Vocational Guidance- Eleventh Edition VOL. 1 & 3 Ferguson Publishing Company   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A History of Mathematics –Midair MacCormaic

Cannon Bard Theory of Emotion

Cannon Bard Theory of Emotion As you are hiking through the woods, a bear walks out onto the path. In an instant you begin to tense up and sweat. In the same instant you are filled with fear. These two events of physiological responses and emotional experience happen at the same time, not one after the other. That is why the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion is a better indicator of how our bodies and minds respond to stimuli.Cannon and Bard highlighted the role of the brain in generating physiological responses and feelings; a role that is important in their explanation of emotion experience and production. The main assertions of the Cannon–Bard theory are that emotional expression results from the function of hypothalamic structures, and emotional feeling results from stimulations of the dorsal thalamus. The physiological changes and subjective feeling of an emotion in response to a stimulus are separate and independent; arousal does not have to occur before the emotion (Adcock, 1976).Cannon-Bard theory states that we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as sweating, trembling and muscle tension simultaneously. More specifically, it is suggested that emotions result when the thalamus sends a message to the brain in response to a stimulus, resulting in a physiological reaction(Hayes, 2003). For example: I see a snake –> I am afraid –> I begin to tremble. According to the Cannon-Bard theory of emotion, we react to a stimulus and experience the associated emotion at the same time (Carlson, 2013).The key component of the Cannon–Bard theory of emotion is that when the thalamic discharge occurs, the bodily changes occur almost simultaneously with the emotional experience. The bodily changes and emotional experience occur separately and independently of one another; physiological arousal does not have to precede emotional expression or experience. The theory asserts that the thalamic region is the brain area responsible f or emotional responses to experienced stimuli (Adcock, 1976). Walter Cannon criticized the James-Lange theory for several reasons.He argued that emotion occurs even if the bodily changes which transmit feedback to the brain are eliminated (Hayes, 2003). He severed neural connections to the cortex of cats (creating â€Å"decorticate cats†). The decorticate cats, when provoked, exhibited the emotional behavior normally associated with rage and aggression, as demonstrated by erect hair, growling, and the baring of teeth (Hayes, 2003). (Canon called the behavior sham rage because according to the James-Lange theory emotional behavior could not occur without connections to the brain. In addition, Cannon argued that visceral responses occur too slowly to be recognized by the brain before emotional responses to a stimuli occur (Adcock, 1976). Works Cited Adcock, C. (1976). Psychology and Theory. Hong Kong: Victoria University Press. Neil R. Carlson, H. M. (2013). Psychology: The Sci ence of Experience. USA: Pearson Learning Solutions. Nick Hayes, P. S. (2003). Students Dictionary of Psychology. New York: Oxford University Press Inc.