Name: ___________________________________
The Chemistry of Toys
Background
Human beings have been making and playing with toys for thousands of years. The
materials used to make toys are often chosen for their specific physical and chemical
properties. In this activity, you will research the chemistry that goes into the making
and/or operation of a toy or novelty item of your choice.
Introductory Questions
Think about a toy you played with as a child.
a. Why did you like that toy?
b. What was the main function of the toy?
c. What was it made of?
d. Why do you think those materials were chosen for that toy?
Problem
What materials are used to make your toy? How do the materials’ properties contribute to
the toy’s function?
Materials
• A computer with internet access
• A toy/novelty item to investigate
Procedure
1. Select a toy to investigate, either by yourself or with a partner. Get your teacher’s
approval and have him/her sign off below.
Toy choice: _______________________________
Partner (optional): ______________________________
Teacher signature: _______________________________
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2. Draw a rough diagram of the toy in the space below.
3. Label the components of your toy on your diagram from step 2. (If your toy
appears to have only one component, list out the materials it is made of as you
research them in step 4.)
4. Research the materials that are used for each component of your toy. Take notes
on the questions below as you conduct your research. (You may use additional
sheets paper if you need more space.)
•
What elements and/or compounds make up each component of your toy? List
the chemical symbols and formulas. (Include at least 3 materials. If there are
fewer than 3 materials used in the toy, please indicate that!)
•
How do the elements combine to form the compounds? Draw a model of the
compounds or elements.
•
Are the atoms metals or non-metals?
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•
In the compounds, what types of bonds do the atoms form – ionic or
covalent? What type of intermolecular forces are present between particles?
•
Are any of the materials are considered to be polymers? What does it mean
to be a polymer?
•
What are the physical and/or chemical properties of each material that make
it useful for the toy? How do these properties relate to the bonds and
intermolecular forces of the materials?
•
Find at least 2 other products that use some of the same materials as your
toy. Why do you think those materials were used in all of these products?
5. Using your notes from step 4, compile your findings into an engaging poster or
infographic explaining the chemistry of your toy. It may be digital or neatly hand
drawn. Online infographic tools include Canva, Piktochart, and Venngage.
6. Submit this worksheet, along with your poster/infographic and a separate, correctly
formatted Reference page on _________________ (insert due date).
7. Your teacher will post the posters/infographics around the room and you will have a
chance to offer feedback on a classmate’s work. On the feedback sheet provided
with the poster/infographic, make a note of one detail that you really like, one
question for the poster-maker, and one suggestion for further research.
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Extension
The CEO of a toy company would like you to improve on the toy you have been
researching. They want you to change one aspect of the toy to make it unique and
to help it sell even more. This could be using different materials with different
properties, changing the ratio of the components, adding or removing a component,
etc. What change would you make and why do you think it will make the toy
better?
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