How does silly putty work

When more stress is applied quickly, many bonds are broken, causing the putty to tear. Silly Putty is a patented invention, so specifics are a trade secret.

One way to make the polymer is by reacting dimethyldichlorosilane in diethyl ether with water. The ether solution of the silicone oil is washed with an aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. The ether is evaporated off. Powdered boric oxide is added to the oil and heated to make the putty. These are chemicals the average person doesn't want to mess with, plus the initial reaction can be violent.

There are safe and easy alternatives, though, that you can make with common household ingredients:. This recipe forms a slime with a thicker consistency, similar to that of putty. Mix together 4 parts of the glue solution with one part of the borax solution. Add food coloring, if desired. Refrigerate the mixture in the sealed bag when not in use. The glue and starch recipe may also be seen as a slime recipe by some people, but the material's behavior is much like that of putty.

Gradually mix the starch into the glue. More starch may be added if the mixture seems too sticky. Food coloring may be added if desired. Cover and refrigerate the putty when not in use. This putty can be pulled, twisted, or cut with scissors. If the putty is left to rest, it will pool out, like a thick liquid. Silly putty bounces like a rubber ball except higher , will break from a sharp blow, can be stretched, and will melt into a puddle after a length of time.

If you flatten it and press it over a comic book or some newspaper print, it will copy the image. If you shape Silly Putty into a ball and bounce it off a hard, smooth surface it will bounce higher than a rubber ball.

Cooling the putty improves its bounce. Try putting the putty in the freezer for an hour. How does it compare with warm putty? The specific gravity of Silly Putty is 1. This means it is denser than water and would be expected to sink. However, you can cause Silly Putty to float. Silly Putty in its plastic egg will float.

Silly putty shaped like a boat will float on the surface of the water. It slowly takes the shape of its container, yet resists sudden forces like the blow of a hammer, and bounces very well. It is non-toxic and non-irritating to the skin. At home, it can be used to pick up dirt and lint. Investigate the properties of a common polymer.

Details Activity Length 30 mins. The list is long and includes tongue twister-like names like polydimethylsiloxane and boric acid.

Sounds tough to replicate at home. Or is it? This experiment lets you turn two common goods cornstarch and dish soap into endless hours of non-Newtonian fun. Pour the cornstarch and dish soap into a container. Add a few drops of water to help the goop bind, then fold it all together with a spoon.

Mold the putty with your hands until most of the starch and soap is used up. If the mixture is too dry and crumbly, squeeze in some extra soap. If the mixture is too liquid, sprinkle in some more starch.