Looks at properties of polymers, testing plastics, and the mysterious case of natural rubber.
Experiments are simple and can be performed using readily available materials. They also make great science fair projects that demonstrate concepts such as cross-linking, whether cotton is hydrophilic or hydrophobic, how food wrap keeps foods moist, how recyclers identify and separate the six types of plastic, how synthetic fibers can be made from a polymer, and much more. Glossary, appendix, further reading, internet addresses, index. 128 pp., hardcover.