Name _____________________________________
Date _______________________
Chapter 2 – Mysterious Properties
Part I: It’s a Monster…or What Is It?
Objective: To determine what the properties are of the substance created and categorize it into one of
the groups discussed in class.
Purpose: You will make three batches of silly putty, each with a different concentration of borax
(laundry booster powder)
Hypothesis:
Explain what effect you think the different borax concentrations will have. How will the material
properties change? What do you think the borax does to the glue to form silly putty?
Procedure:
1. In a small, clear cup, mix together 2 tablespoons warm water with ¼ teaspoon borax.
2. In the red cup, mix together 4 tablespoons glue and 4 tablespoons of warm water until it is a
uniform solution.
3. Slowly pour the borax mixture into the glue mixture while stirring. Be sure that all borax is
transferred to the glue solution.
4. When the solution starts to thicken, mix it with your hands instead of the spoon. Continue to mix
it until a uniform mixture is achieved and NO water is present.
5. Store in a plastic bag and label “low concentration.”
6. Repeat steps 1-5 two more times, with 1 teaspoon of borax (medium concentration) and 2
teaspoons of borax (high concentration), respectively.
Analysis (Separate sheet if more space needed):
1. How is the substance different from springs?
2. Explain whether your hypothesis was correct about how the borax concentrations changed the
material properties of the silly putty. Did you see any differences while making the three
concentrations?
3. Discuss whether you think silly putty is an elastic solid or a viscous liquid. Why?
Part II: What is in the box?!
Objective: To determine the objects in a box based on physical properties and characteristics found
through touch.
Hypothesis:
What will be the best approach to determining the objects in the box?
Procedure:
1. Your first group member will reach into the box GENTLY and will WITHOUT REMOVING IT
FROM THE BOX, determine what they feel the object is that is in his or her hand.
2. Describe the properties of the object out loud for partners to write down in the lab.
3. Once finished, leave the item behind and take a guess as to what the object is.
4. Switch roles and allow another member to reach into the box and find a new item. Repeat the
same steps.
5. Rotate each time until all 10 items have been discovered.
6. Be sure that all properties are recorded on ALL lab papers.
Data:
Object 1:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 2:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 3:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 4:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 5:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 6:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 7:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 8:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 9:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Object 10:
Properties:
Unknown Object Guess:
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Actual Objects:
1. ________________________________
2. ________________________________
3. ________________________________
4. ________________________________
5. ________________________________
6. ________________________________
7. ________________________________
8. ________________________________
9. ________________________________
10. _______________________________
Analysis:
1. How many of the objects did you guess correctly?
2. What object seemed the most difficult to determine? Why?
3. This object is shapeable. It hardens when heated. It is a heterogeneous mixture. It is edible and
sweet. What is this object?
4. This object is a homogenous mixture. It is brown in color and has a low viscosity. Over time, this
object will go through a chemical change and produce an odor and precipitate. What is it?
5. This object is a viscous liquid. It varies in color and becomes a solid when exposed to air. What is
it?