Hypothesis:  If we stick a skewer through the balloon, then the balloon won't pop, because of the polymers holding tightly around the skewer that no air can get through.  If we stick pencils through the bag full of water, then the water won't leak, because of the polymers holding tightly around the pencils not allowing water to get through the creases.

Note: First we are going to do this experiment on a smaller scale, using a plastic baggie and pencils.

Poke That Polymer!


A polymer is a really big molecule that links together with other polymer molecules to make a chain, which links up to more chains, and so on and so forth.  This will make a polymer.  Polymers are solid and used as plastics, and they can be molded into virtually any shape.

Question: Will the balloon pop when we stick a skewer through it?

Will the bag leak if we stick pencils through it?

Materials: 

• Round Pencils, sharpened 

• Ziplock Baggie filled with water
• Bamboo skewers
• Balloons
• Oil

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Safety Procedures

These are regular household items, but be careful not to poke yourself with the pencils and the skewers. They are quite sharp!  If you are not careful to push the skewer in the thickest part of the balloon, you could end up with popped balloons and a failed experiment, so pay close attention to the procedure below.

Procedure:(for plastic bag)

1. Fill the Ziplock bag with water
   
2. Seal bag (this is important!  Make sure you close it completely)
   
3. Poke pencils through both sides of the bag

   4.    Add more pencils if you want!


 Procedure:(for balloon)

1. Blow up balloon, but not too big
2. Apply some oil to the tip of the skewer
3. Gently twist and push the skewer in the base, near the knot of the balloon
4. Push the skewer through
5. Push out skewer at the top at the thickest part and enjoy!!!   
   
   Special Needs
   Water
   

Collect these materials for the first experiment (pencils, a cup of water, and a plastic ziplock bag).

Pour the water into the bag.

Seal the bag tightly.

Gently push the pencils through the bag.

Add as many pencils as you want. Make sure the holes don't touch.

Watch us in action:

This is PAUL LEMUR. He's a lemur named Paul. (Polymer Science Learning Center, University of Southern Mississippi)

This cartoon is an example of what the molecules would look like! (Polymer Science Learning Center, University of Southern Mississippi)

Collect materials for the second experiment (balloon, skewer, and bowl of oil).

Dip the tip of the skewer in oil.

Gently twist the skewer through the balloon.

Push the skewer through the darkest part of the other end of the balloon, and you can put two skewers as long as the holes don't touch.

The Science behind it

The Ziplock baggie and the balloon are made of a substance we use a lot of nowadays.  It is polymer!  Polymers are built in strands of tight molecules.  When you poke a pencil into the bag full of water, the chains of molecules push around the pencil and prevent any sort of leakage.  If you pull the pencil out, the chains break and it leaks.  It is the same with the balloon, but the balloon is much scarier!  If you pull the skewer out, it will deflate. 

Later on you can Add Graphs with results

Conclusions

About Sara

I am 10 years old in Mrs. Luke's class.  I like to dance, do gymnastics, and play violin.  I also love to read.  I have a brother named Alex, and a dog named Mocha.

About Hayley

Hi.  I am Hayley Calloway and I'm in Mrs. Sisca's class.  I am 10 years old.  I love to do gymnastics and play the saxophone.  I have two sisters Emily (age12), and Katie (age 8) and I like Kermit the Frog. I have two turtles named Toe and T.J. and a dog named Mason.

About Aimee

I am 11 years old and is in Mrs.Carvo's 5th grade class. I have a brother named James ( age 5 ). I love to spend time with my friends and family.  I also love to sing, play the flute, and play softball. Lastly, I LOVE hearts.