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Synthesis Essay

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Claim: As the amount of cross-linking increases, elasticity, viscoelasticity, and viscosity all increase as well. Evidence: First, it is important to understand how the rankings were given to each substance. Obviously, for both the elasticity and viscosity ranking, each substance was given a number 1-5. A 1 for elasticity means the substance does not return to its original shape, does not bounce, and breaks easily whereas a 5 means it returns to its original shape easily and bounces. A 1 for viscosity means the substance pours easily whereas a 5 means that it does not pour. Viscoelasticity, however, was ranked differently with a yes or no based upon its behavior when stretched slowly vs quickly. Beginning with the 49.0 mL (PVA) : 1.0 mL (Borax) …show more content…

This substance did not return to its original shape and was runny which allowed it to be poured easily and left essentially nothing to stretch in order to test viscoelasticity. These results changed slightly as the sample shifted to a 44.0 mL (PVA) : 6.0 mL (Borax) ratio. This substance had a elasticity ranking of 2, a viscosity rating of 4, and was said to be viscoelastic. A substance of this sort was more apt to return to its original shape, slightly more bouncy, and a bit more resistant to breaking. It was definitely not as runny as the before sample, but still poured in a matter of time. In addition, the viscoelasticity test was much more successful with the ability to stretch the slime sample slowly. A quick application of tension, however, would cause the substance to break. Lastly, the 36.0 mL (PVA) : 14.0 mL (Borax) ratio produced a substance with a high elasticity of 4, a viscosity of 4, and was also said to be …show more content…

As suggested by the claim, a larger amount of Borax yields a greater elasticity, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. But the reasoning as to why delves deeper than that. In this experiment, Borax is employed as the cross-linking agent. While PVA alone has hydrogen bonding, being an alcohol, Borax forms the Borate ion when in a solution with covalent bonding. Hydrogen bonding, an intermolecular force, is much weaker than covalent bonding. A cross-linker like the Borate ion can form bonds with the carbon on the PVA so it can link the chains together. To realize the full extent of this polymerization reaction it is important to understand the effects of cross-linking agents on the properties of a substance. Introducing a cross-linking agent makes a polymer stronger and more rigid. Think of it like a bridge; this new and stronger bond holds the polymer chains in place and does not allow for much movement of the polymers. Additional properties depend on the substance at hand, in this case, an increase in Borax leads to an increase in properties such as elasticity, viscoelasticity, and viscosity. This is actually an inverse relationship and can be best exemplified using Coulomb’s law. Adding cross-linking pulls the polymer chains closer together, or

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