H-B Woodlawn Biology 

Group Members:      _________________, ___________________, ___________________

Using the Scientific Method to Create A Macromolecule

Introduction and Objective:

You and your group members will develop a method for creating a polymer.  Polymers are large macromolecules with molecular weights in the range of several thousand or more.  You will propose a procedure using the materials listed below and test it using the scientific method.  Observe the materials and develop a hypothesis of the correct sequence for creating a polymer.

Materials:
 

Glue Borax solution ( 5 grams in 100 ml of water ) Stirring rods 250 ml beakers

20 ml of tap or distilled water Graduated cylinder Food coloring

Procedure:

• Until the end of class, only Jim knows the preferred sequence of steps.
• You must hypothesize the exact sequence while documenting, testing and analyzing the resulting products.
• In groups of two or three, try to produce a polymer by trial and error.
• The correct sequence is important. If the steps are not in the correct order the product will not have the correct texture.
• Supplies are limited, so small amounts should be used.

Lab Experiment Summary:

1. How many hypotheses were proposed? ______________________

2. What is the correct sequence? ___________________________________________

 _______________________________________________________________________
 

3. What 2 materials can change sequence?_______________________________________

4. What solidified the mixture? _______________________________________________

5. Turn in the documentation of each trial.