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At the end of the actlvlty, you should be able to compare ]rsulating
a synthetic polymel like
properties of a natural polymer, such as PoPcorrL with
polystyrene.

MATERIALS

. graduated cups
. cornkernels
" Styropor materials
. 2hand lens
popcorn
 :i DATA AND RESULTS
O{EDURI-- -
ne Allotment: 50 minutes
w fallowing steps must be done only after tLrc papcom wasprupared.)

1- Break a piece of a Styropor material and observe its inside using a hand
lens.,Look closely and observe how the finy beacls are stuck with each
other.
2. Do the same thing with a kernei of popcorn. Record your obsewations.
3. Put orre hand iens on top of another to obtain greater magnification (8
times). Compare the two polymers again in terms of how closely packed
their components (orbeads) are.
4. The amount of air space is important in determinng how good a polymer
is as an insulator. Find out which of the two poi;rmers wor:dd be a bette:r
:nsulato;.

i:i:

FiIl a plastic cup up to th€ brim with popcorn. Recorrl the number of
kernels you used.
2. Place the same number of kernels of unpopped corn to a graduated cup.
Record this as the volurne o{ }.he unpopped kernels.
J. v_olggre of the popc-o,rpis the same as the volusre of the plastic cup,
f13e
How many mL is this?
TEA$IER S DEMO
4. Dgtermine the volume of air in the popcorn.
Record. the data gathered from this demonstratioru Tabulate as follows:
Volurrie of air = volu:ne of popcorn - volume of unpopperl kemeis.

Popcorn
:rmine the % of air in the popcom.
Styropor

o/o
volume of air in the popcom x 100
of 'att
volume oI PoPcorn
 \

QUESTIONS

A. \Atrich of the ha;o polymers (Sgrropor and popcom) wouid be a better

insulator? Expiain your answer.

B. What is the volu:rre of arr in the popcorn?

C. \ nmt is lhe percentage of air in the popcom?

TONCLUSION

1. Compare the other properties of the polymers using the foliora"ing

indicators:
a. effect of water (use haurd lens to closely observe the polymers)
L ^li:-^
e. 4u816 yrcDDq.s
--^^^---^

2. \{hat are the advantages and disadvantages of using each kind of polS.rmer
(rntural and synthetic) as insulating materiai for the attic or walls of a
house?

AIIIVITY r4 " FAR]H: iHI_tllSI_RttiHi RFgilFNT ptANFr

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